Melo Villareal
Exploring Anping District in Tainan, Taiwan
Tainan was a huge surprise, from its mix of grandeur and hominess, historic past and ever-evolving future. During our third day in Taiwan, and after eating our heavy breakfast at The Place Tainan Hotel (hotel info), we headed over for our day tour in the Anping District.
Salad Bar at The Place Tainan Hotel
Historic Harborside Park – The blessing of the big fish
Our first stop was the “Blessing of the Big Fish” art installation at Harborside Park, set beside the calm waters of the Anping Canal. Opened to the public on January 21, 2019, this eye-catching work is the latest creation by artist Yang Shih-Yi, whose imaginative style turns the waterfront into a lively open-air gallery. Thanks to the initiative of Tainan City’s Tourism Bureau, the installation has become a colorful new landmark that adds both character and charm to the harbor area.
The Blessing of the Big Fish is an eye-catching art installation measuring 23 meters in length and 10 meters in width. Crafted from 3,714 stainless steel pipes, the piece is accented with 448 multicolored glass elements that reflect and refract light. These shimmering glass pieces symbolize Taiwan’s inclusivity, vibrant diversity, and distinctive cultural identity.
Locals say it’s best to visit at night, when the entire place is lit up and illuminates the canal area.
The Anping Tree House
If you want to feel like you’re inside a Tomb Raider movie, then check out the Anping Tree House.
What makes the Anping Tree House unique is its century-old tree trunks, combined with an elevated walkway that offers a scenic route.
Once a plain, utilitarian warehouse, this space has been reborn as a popular tourist attraction, thanks to a magnificent Banyan Tree whose thick roots and far-reaching branches now dramatically envelop the entire site. The former industrial shell has given way to a vibrant, living environment, where diverse species of flora and fauna nestle among the twisted roots and lush greenery. The experience is a thoughtfully curated collection of artworks and vintage photographs, each capturing scenes of the city’s former splendor and offering visitors a vivid window into its rich and elegant past.
Although many people tend to compare it to Cambodia’s banyan-covered ruins, the Anping House in Tainan has its own distinct charm, with weathered brick walls and tree roots snaking through the structure. Just near the entrance, you’ll find a cozy bar and a small coffee shop where you can grab some snacks, enjoy a drink, or simply unwind after exploring.
How to get there: The tree house is accessible by bus from Tainan Station of Taiwan Railways.
Address: No.108, Gubao St., Anping Dist., Tainan City 708, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Opening Hours: 08:30-17:30
Ticket Price: TWD 50
Telephone: +886-6-3913901
The Anping Old Street
Nothing comforts me more than walking through an ancient village or timeworn street, and visiting the well-preserved 300-year-old Anping Old Street was truly memorable. The narrow lanes are lined with red brick houses, wooden doors, lanterns, and small family-run shops, while the air is filled with the aroma of freshly cooked street food and traditional snacks. If you love heritage buildings, old structures full of history, and sampling local street food, this is definitely the place to go!
The street/walk starts near the front entrance of the Anping Old Fort. Like Old Shennong Street, Anping Old Street is narrow, maze-like, and packed with stalls and old buildings, offering a wide range of souvenirs, from accessories to cultural items. But the best thing here is that you can sample as many local dishes, preserved fruits, and traditional snacks as well! Don’t forget to try their peanut candy and black sugar bread!
Lunch at Chou’s Shrimp Rolls
After roaming around Anping, we ate lunch at Chou’s Shrimp Rolls, known for serving yummy shrimp rolls and noodles for almost 50 years in Anping.
This might not be a first-class restaurant, but their dishes were bursting with flavors – the aroma was all over the place – and they were all served in generous amounts. We had Milkfish congee, Fried shrimp rolls, Oyster omelet, Stir-fried squid, and Deep-fried sandwich. And also, don’t forget to try their famous seafood croquettes and takoyaki!
Overall, we were very satisfied with our meal, the service was quick, and it was definitely value for the money.
After our hefty lunch, we boarded our bus and left Tainan for our next destination — Alishan Taiwan.
Tainan Travel Tour Packages You Should Try
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