Tainan City, former provincial city in Taiwan (1945-2010)
Tainan is a city in southern Taiwan and was the first capital of the island for over 200 years. The streets are narrow and winding, lined with ancient temples, traditional houses, and modern buildings standing side by side.
The Dutch founded Fort Zeelandia in Tainan in 1622 and began trading from there. Over the centuries, Portuguese, Japanese, and Chinese rulers followed, each bringing their own customs and languages to the city.
Tainan holds memories of many cultures that have lived here: Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, and Chinese influences shaped the city over centuries. This multicultural heritage appears in temples, streets, and traditions that people still follow today.
Walking and cycling are easy ways to explore the city since it is not very large. Buses and taxis are cheap and widely available, though checking opening times for markets and museums beforehand helps you plan better.
In Anping, the Anping Treehouse is a former warehouse completely overtaken by giant banyan tree roots, creating a surreal sight. The building shows how nature can reclaim human structures over many years.
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