26. Taiwan @ Tainan

Then next stop on our journey back to Taipei where we had our flight to The Philippines was Tainan.



We took the normal train this time.

Tainan was initially established by the Dutch as a ruling and trading base under the period of Dutch rule. The city is the oldest in Taiwan and was the capital from year 1661 to 1683.

Today Tainan has about 800.000 inhabitants and the city claims to have the most Buddhist and Taoist temples in Taiwan.

We went to see the old town of Tainan. Anping dates back to the 17th century when the Dutch occupied the area.

We went to see Anping Tree House, which used to be a warehouse under the Japanese colonization.

The old brick wall building has been abandoned for many years.

Today there is a gigantic Banyan tree which has "taken over" the old building and forming an extraordinary scene.

Roots and trunks is today part of the architecture.

The gate of the Tianhou temple in Anping.

The temple was originally built by the Ching Dynasty in 1668 and dedicated to Matsu.

The temple has a tragic and bloody history.
During the colonization wars the Japanese killed many soldier in the temple and buried them inside. Until the temple was rebuilt in year 1966 the temple and its ghosts were feared by the locals.

Fort Zeelandia was a fortress built over 10 years from year 1624 to 1634 by the Dutch in the town of Anping.

The view from the tower of the fort.

Street view of

Anping district.

Guanziling Hot Spring is reputed for its mud hot spring.

The hot spring has been here more than 100 years.

As the spring water contains mud, minerals and salts, the water has a dark color. Which is the reason for the nickname "dark hot spring".

Since the water contains a large amount of minerals and salts, the hot water is great for the skin and offers the most natural skincare nourishment.

Our view from the hot springs water.

Chihkan Tower was a Dutch fort built in year 1653.

Mickey Mouse is also in Taiwan, or maybe his cousin Tom...

Evening lights in Tainan.