6 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Anping District

Renowned as the historical and cultural center of Tainan, the Anping District is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. Dating back to the 17th century, it is one of the oldest part of Tainan, which is actually the oldest city in Taiwan and the former capital of the country. It is home to many crowd-drawing attractions such as the Anping Fort, Eternal Golden Fortress, Anping Tree House, Julius Mannich Merchant House, Anping Oyster Cement Kiln, Anping Minor Artillery Fort, as well as a copious number of restaurants and stores.

1. ANPING FORT

With a history of over 300 years, the Anping Fort has been named a lot of things through the years. Fort Zeelandia, Castle for the Red Haired, Orlande City, Anping Castle, Dutch Fort Zeelandia, Taiwan’s Fort and King’s Fort are just some of the names Anping Fort is known as. More popular as “Anping Fort”, it is the oldest fort in the whole of Taiwan, acting as the last witness of the country’s occupation by the Dutch and the Japanese.

It was built in 1653 by the Dutch during their 38 years of colonization. When the Dutch lost Tainan to the Japanese and the Fort was overtaken, the originally wood building was rebuilt in bricks. Nowadays, even though it stands in ruins, it serves as a watchtower, park and deck for viewing the city.

Complete Address: No.82, Guosheng Rd., Anping District, Tainan City 708, Taiwan
Tel: 06-2267348
Opening Hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm

2. ETERNAL GOLDEN FORTRESS

The Eternal Golden Fortress or Castle (Yi Zai Jin Cheng) was built in 1876 as a defense to the Japanese threat of expansion into Taiwan.

Complete Address: No.82, Guosheng Rd., Anping District, Tainan City 708, Taiwan
Tel: 06-2267348
Opening Hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm

3. ANPING TREE HOUSE

The Anping Tree House is used to be the warehouse of the Tait Company. The Tait Company manufactured tea and offered banking and insurance services. The company building, which is now a wax museum, and the warehouse, all covered by Bunyan trees, are popular tourist spots in Tainan.

Complete Address: No108, Gubao St., Anping District, Tainan City 708, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel: 06-3913901
Opening Hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm

4. JULIUS MANNICH MERCHANT HOUSE

The Julius Mannich Merchant House was the trading office of a German-owned company which engages in buying and selling of chemical compounds and substances including camphor, sugar and opium. The house now serves as a museum providing information on the trading history of Tainan. It is open to public and admission is free as well.

Complete Address: No.19. Lane 183 Anbei Rd, Anping District, Tainan City 708, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm

5. ANPING OYSTER CEMENT KILN

Oyster shells in the old days were used in making cement, and the Anping Oyster Cement Company was one such company in Tainan. Nowadays, the facility houses a collection of interesting art displays and serves as a museum. Admission is free in this museum as well.

Complete Address: 110-1 Bei-an Road, Anping District, Tainan City
Tel: 06-2286836
Hours: 9:30am to 5:00pm Tuesdays to Sundays

6. ANPING MINOR ARTILLERY FORT

The Minor Artillery Fort was built in 1840 during the height of the opium war. Today, it serves as a fishing hole as well as a great spot for historical photo opportunities. The Fort is open to public free of admission charges.

Complete Address: Intersection of Anping Road and Hu-nei 2nd St., Tainan City
Tel: 06-2267364

Indeed, a trip to the Anping District is like a trip to the past. So, if you love history, the district is definitely worth your visit.