An Ping Fort is also known as T aiwan Fort, and has the longest running history in Taiwan . H aving served varied purposes, as the hub of the Dutch's occupation, and as the residence of the Cheng family for three generations, as time elapses, the building's facade and usage have been somewhat altered.

Initially, the Dutch built An Ping Fort, and named it Fort Zeelandia , which was the first for t built by the Dutch in Taiwan . It was later renamed by Z heng Chen g -kong as “An Ping Town” upon reclaiming Taiwan , and was used as the residence of the Cheng clan; at the onset of the Qing dynasty, the fort was revamped as the Bureau of Military Arsenal.

W hat we see of An Ping Fort today may no longer command the majestic battlement s of al l those years ago , due to its having undergone several rebuilding processes . Still , it remains an important historic monument worth paying tribute to— not only for the wealth of historic data it helps to p reserve , but also for its profound cultural significance.

Looking up at Z heng Chen g -kong's statue soaring into the clouds, it seems to command the majestic air of a formidable presence , reminisce nt of the bravery he displayed while defending this territory. The relics of the old fort's battlement s are marred by pockmarked bullet holes , a testament that bellows the fort's glorious victory.

Located beneath the fort, the Yung Han Folklore Museum , once the official residence of the Qing Tax Administration , now houses folklore artifacts from the Ming days of Cheng Chen g -kong to the Qing period, including the explosive container – the An Ping vessel . P ottery canteens, a caned sword, Yen Ping Street cultural relics, and a xylophone are among the important historic objects that make it a touris t attraction not to be missed.

The longest - reigning temple in Taiwan , the Tainan Confucius Temple is billed as the most majestic Confucius Temple of all . It was built in 1665, the 19 th year of Ming Emperor Yung Li 's reign. Its solemn and majestic architecture has earned the tem ple the classification of level - one National Cultural Relic.

Still recognizable is the calligraphic inscription appear ing on a wooden banner hung high above the facade of the Dong Da Cheng Arc at the entrance . This contrasts with the red tiles and classic scrolled - awning architectural design . Despite having endured the test of time and weathering , set amid the tree-lined canopies and the midday blue skies , the design still boasts a majestic air.

On September 28 th of every year, Confucius memorial ceremonies are staged here and conducted according to ancient rituals . At this time s olemnity and majesty, accentuated by the towering old tree growth, bestows a mystical air of reminiscence.

The Tainan Confucius Temple has largely been preserved to its traditional scale , with study halls to the left and the temple halls to the right . The study halls to the left feature an architectural grouping that revolves around Ming Lun Hall ; the temple halls to the right revolve around Da Cheng Hall as the center point.

The center of Da Cheng Hall houses Confucius memorial tablet s. The east and west wings were for other historical elites and scholars . The H all's architecture and furnishings are kept to a rustic simplicity, yet the majestic architecture and the solemn ambience have come to depict what best represents the very essence of Confucius ' teaching.

Built in 1653, the 7 th year of Ming Emperor Yung Li 's rei g n, the Tainan Chih-kan Tower was first built by the Dutch as a defense hub and named Fort Provintia . The relics of the original access gate and garrison fort are still preserved beneath the foundation of the Wen Chang Pagoda. Subsequently, upon landing in Taiwan , Ch en g Chen g -kong t ook up residence in the Chih-kan Tower for as long as nine months.

T he Lin Shuang-wen incident occurred in the 51 st year of Qing emperor Chien Lung's rei g n . The Qing imperial general Fu Kang-an had led troops to Taiwan to stamp out the unrest . When the incident was successfully quelled , Emperor Chien Lung bequeathed Fu with nine Qing imperial stone tablets, which are kept in the south side of the Sea Deity Temple 's foundation. These, along with the Jing Lei imperial oracle tablet at the Chih-kan Tower , remain a stone tablet grouping that ranks among Taiwan 's most majestic and distinctive.

The Wen Chang Pagoda and the Sea Deity Template making up the main architectural structure of today's Chih-kan Tower were built during the Qing Emperor Kuang Hs u 's rei g n . They feature an architectural facade with opulent “ Hsieh Shan overlapping awnings , ” which ha s a roof-ridge awning extending outward and scrolled upward in an elegant curvature . This in turn is adorned by the ornamentation of a leaping carp spewing out water in a rippling configuration , depicting a lively image. On display inside the buildings are historic Chih-kan Tower manuscripts and artifacts that t ell of the Tower's brilliant histor ical and spirit ual s ignifigance.

The majestic architecture located along Kai Shan Road in downtown Tainan is the Yen Ping Governor's Shrine , commemorating Z heng Chen g -kong. Once known as the Founding Governor's Temple, Yen Ping Park , which surrounds the shrine , boasts flowing willows that sweep across the ponds —a pristine and tranquil setting that seem s to drown out the hustle and bustle of downtown.

In the 13 th year of Qing emperor Tong Zhi's rei g n , the imperial legate Shen Bao- z hen call ed on Taiwan regarding defense affairs . He then discover ed Z heng Chen g -kong's contribution to Taiwan 's grassroots development . This prompted Shen to plead with the emperor to defend Z heng Chen g -kong's name as a Ming legate , rather than traitor , and recommended that a shrine be built to commemorate Z heng's bravery.

The Yen Ping Governor's Shrine comprises the entrance screen wall, the main hall that houses Z heng Chen g -k o ng's tablet, the east and west wings, and the rear halls that house the Ts ong Si empress and Ning Jing imperial heir . Here the ancient plum trees in the rear hall's atrium are said to have b e en planted by Z heng Chen g -kong , thus hav ing endured three centuries of history.

The Z heng Chen g -kong Artifacts Museum located to the right of the shrine houses Qing apparel, artifacts and grassroots objects of art . T he extensive collections have come to bestow the museum with a cultural significance.

With its intricate and refined bent bridge and foundations, and majestic, innovative ly configured architectural elements that adorn it, the Tainan Municipal Cultural Center is the one-and-only gold medal award-winning public building in Taiwan . It serves as an important venue for arts and cultural events, musical concerts, dramatic rendition s and s ymposiums . In this regard, it also top s all other venues around Taiwan , playing h ost some of the most globally renowned performing arts and contemporary artistic works.

The Sculpture Park is set amid lush lawns and dotted with a variety of sculpture s by renowned artists . These have come to embellish the park with an artistic ambience, making it one of the more elegant recreational hangout s in and around Tainan.

The Tainan Canal was designed by Matsumoto during the J apanese Occupation, and completed in 1926 . T he canal has not only been witness to over 7 decade s of Tainan history ; to many, it also remains a spot associated with fond memories . Reflecting a strong grassroots awareness shared by all citizens of Tainan , what sets the canal apart from the rest of the infamous waterways is that it remains exclusive to Taina n , as it connects the heart of everyone here.

Riding along the canal, one arrives at An Ping Port, where ships and yachts of all sizes are moored, and fishing vessels navigated by the fishermen are heading back to port with a boatful of fishery catches. The statue of Lin Mo-niang set afar from the fishing port overlooking the ocean seems to guard the people of this area , bringing good fortune and health.

The deep-ocean fish market in front will soon be developed into a touris t fish market, and all are convinced that An Ping will soon recapture its former glory in the very near future.

Tainan Park encompasses an expansive park ground, and is billed as the largest park in acreage among all urban parks across Taiwan . The park is accentuated by dense and lush tree growth with shady canopies, fountains and lake water that collectively embellish the park in a Shangri-la like setting. With eyes closed and listening to the insect calls and bird chirping, one is instantaneously trans ported to a virgin forest. The Morality and Literary Arc located by the park's Yen Tan P ond, which has been listed as a Class III National Historic Relic, adds a touch of nostalgia amid the tranquil setting , another attraction well worth seeing.

Located within the park grounds, there are many facilities, such as the amphitheater, library, and music hall, which have come to provide Tainan 's residents with an important venue for various educational and recreational activities.

Riding in a fisherman's rubber raft, one sets out on an ecological journey to explore wondrous mangrove s . The unique ecological environment in Si Ts ao has bee n listed as one of Taiwan 's four major wetland areas ; i t is also the ancient battleground where Z heng Chen g -kong fought the Dutch at B ei Shien Wei.

Si Tsa o nurtures some of the most resilient animals and plants on earth . Y ou can easily spot tidal crabs crawling all over the sand dunes , as if to welcome visitors . And, upon a close r look, you will find the mud slinger – the bullet fish that burrow s in the mud with all its might. Flocks of birds belonging to the crane family perch ed in treetops are busy nurturing their young, while the flock of fish catchers soar freely against the blue skies , ready to dive fo r their underwater prey. Here one can spot the rare red sea olive, one of the rarest among surviving mangrove varieties in Taiwan , having a very limited habitat.

At dusk, the setting sun in the west frames Si Tsao with bedazzling moments of beautiful sunset scenes . R ays of the setting sun are projected on the rippling waters in a virtual setting that is sure to lure visitors to linger and take in the magnificent scenery.

The Yi Zai Stronghold is now listed as a Level I National Cultural Relic site; it was originally named the Second Kun Shen Turret. Surrounding the four sides of the fort are mo a ts ; the fort access is in an arc configuration, and above the threshold is the inscription of “Yi Zai Stronghold” by Shen B ao- z hen that can still be seen today . Shen's dynamic strokes seem to embody the fort's unparalleled security.

Configured in Western - style brick construction, the Yi Zai Stronghold appears in a square configuration with towers used to hold cannons located at the four corners . The concave center courtyard has been designed for military drills. First built as a defense hub against invading Japanese troops following the Mu Dan incident, the Yi Zai Stronghold later demonstrate d its seaside defense utility in the subsequent Sino-French War and the invasion of Shanghai.

As time pro gr esses , the seawaters that once surrounded the Yi Zai Stronghold can no longer be found today, and the advancing shorelines allowing alluvial deposit s find the fort now surrounded by dense vegetation . Th e once familiar rafting scenes ha ve forever disappeared from the horizon.

Upon crossing th e Si Tsa o Bridge, salt fields come into view. Stretching on for miles, irregular in size and shape , they evoke a landscape of solitude that has not changed in the past century. Against the tranquil and expansive horizon, the days of salt fields seem to conjure up the lives of diligently hardworking salt field workers and majestic view s of snow-white salt moun d s. As time evolves, the salt field worker is transforming into the engine of the cultural village, once again infusing this sleepy fi e ld with new energy and a nostalgic flair.

Visitors are given a concise profile of the salt field worker's hard work through the cultural salt field tour guide's enthusiastic intro duction to the salt production industry and the process of salt making.

The Salt Fi el d Culture Village preserves a series of importan t cultural monuments passed down from the Japanese O ccupation . These in clud e the salt shipping docks and granite embankment, the old slat shipping navigation course, stone - laid fence walls and a “Salt village Inaugural Tablet , ” inscribed by the late Chen Cheng.

Upon entering what looks like an ordinary private residence, and upon crossing the shell-strung door curtain, what one sees is the ingenuity of the salt - making residents . E cology and cultural creativity combine to bestow this rustic village with hope and new energy.

1. Glorious Embroidery Shops - the old Quan zhou master
Capturing the very majestic air of the iconic , lucky symbol of a Chinese lion using superb dextral skills, the embroidery master , who most people have come to know as the bespectacled and withered Q uanzhou master , has o ver four decades of experience. He continues to explore new subjects hoping to creat e unique embroidery works, and spares no effort to preserv e this traditional craft . Hi s lifelong ambition is to pass down this glorious craft of interwoven needlework and ensure that it is preserved for future generations to appreciate.

2. The Story of Chinese Tea - The famous Jin De Ts un Tea Shop
First launched in the 7 th year of Qing Emperor T o ng Zh i's rei g n, the century-old Jin De Tsun Tea Shop is now manned by the fifth generation heir, Yueh Yang . Yueh Yang has traveled extensively in Mainland China gathering tidbits about tea and enjoys getting together with like-minded tea aficionados to enjoy and talk about tea. The proprietor says with a smile, my grandfather used to say, “The tea variety that I cultivate offers a sight - enhancing property . ” This a lso echoes his emotional bond for this tea making enterprise.

3. Traditional Craft Shop - the Ruei Tai Barrel Shop
The vintage Ruei Tai Barrel Shop has been in Tainan for the past century. Upon entering the shop, a host of wooden barrels of varied sizes and constructions are on display. Talking about the making of wooden barrels, the proprietor Su Rong-chang said, “There is certain significance behind every wooden barrel and a bit of wisdom passed down from our forefathers”. As the fourth generation heir, he intends to continue passing down the heritage of this unique craft.

4. Paper Mache Art - Hung's Folklore & Paper Mache Studio
Paper m ache may be often associated with the funeral industry in Chinese culture, yet it is not quite so. It is a form of folk art. Master Hung at the Z uo Teng Paper Mache Shop has dedicate d a lifetime of effort to preserv e the art of p aper m ache, as can be seen in his masterpieces . L ife-like historic figurines of Chung Kuei, and the Seventh and Eighth Guards are just a few of Hung's creations that are often on exhibit at major temples and cultural institutions. His works have also been put on exhibition at the special invitation of Japan 's leading cultural organization, a sign that the art of Taiwan 's p aper m ache has gained a significant footing in the world stage of the arts. Need a break? Why not come and enjoy a cup of soothing winter melon tea.

5. Vintage Sweet Taste - the Yi F o ng Winter Melon Confectionary
Th e century-old Yi Fong Winter Melon Confectionary is located right next to Tainan 's Warrior Temple . T he proprietor , Mr. Lin Song -shan, though almost 90 years old, can still be seen busily going in and out of the shop. The winter melon confections are made exactly the old way, with winter melon extract cured in old-fashioned barrels to let the moisture vapor derive the end product of the winter melon confections . This rather fastidious preparation process also gives Yi Fong's melon tea a special savory taste. If you pass by the shop, make sure you stop awhile and sample this truly authentic winter melon taste from a forgotten era.

6. Du Shiao - Yueh Taiwanese Noodle Shop
With a century-old reputation, the Du Shiao - Yueh Taiwanese Noodle Shop embod ies the vintage spirit of Tainan City , where the knee-height stove, footstools, Chinese lanterns and heirloom vintage earthen pots come to tell the history of peddling noodles down the street.

As the very soul of Taiwanese noodles, t he roasted minced pork , albeit greasy, offer s a captivating aroma . This taste , together with a particularly delicious broth deriv ed from shrimp head s , is not only renowned across the island , but continues to draw foreign visitors with its notoriety, a sign attesting to how Tainan 's cuisine has surpasse d national boundaries.

　　Located in an alleyway east of An Ping Fort, Old Yen Ping Street was once a trading hub some three hundred years ago, and the only shop-lined street. The sword-clenching lion adorning the threshold of private residences is the guardian angel of An Ping.

Jin Ch uan Hsing
Following the familiar sound, what comes to view is the century-old , vintage folklore toyshop – Jin Chuan Hsing, where one gets a chance to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane . The host of folklore toys on display includes bizarre childhood snacks, milk caps, playing cards, and puppets that are sure to rekindle your childhood memories.

Yung Tai Hsing Fruit Preserves
Losing oneself to childhood memories, what greets one's nostrils is an irresistible scent carried on the breeze , a mouthwatering aroma to say the least . This is the vintage shop of Yung Tai Hsing Fruit Preserve s, located right across the street. Upon entering the shop, o n display are an extensive variety of fruit preserves , offering what seems an infinite array of tastes . B e it mouthwatering , sweet, tart or zingy, there is something for every palate; the containers that hold the fruit preserve seem ordinary , but have nevertheless endur ed decades of history.

Guei Jih Wok Stew
After sampling the fruit preserve s , aren't you ready for a real treat? The translucent yet chew y wok stew is something to titillate your palate, not only because of the light taste, but because of the many ingredients . T iger lily buds, squid, and oysters are among the ingredients prepared in a broth that is cured for over three hours —it's truly a gastronomic treat !

An Ping Soybean Junket
After enjoy ing the wok stew, why not sample a bow l of An Ping soybean junket? Deriv ed f ro m pure soybean material and prepared exactly the old way, the soybean junket not only tastes supple but almost melts in your mouth instantaneously . The perfectly sweet ened syrup is something that you don't want to miss out on !

Welcome to An Ping, where cultural relics and delicious local delicacies await you.