Join a group bus tour to visit the “Tainan Waterworks” — take a light cultural heritage trip!

▲The water supply and booster pump room of the National Historic Site Tainan Waterworks (Shanshan Water Source Area) is a century-old red brick building. (Photo / Courtesy of Tainan City Government, the same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

During the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese government built water facilities to improve the water supply in the Tainan area, and the Tainan Waterworks was one of them. It has also been designated as a national historic site. The Transportation Bureau stated that the Tainan Waterworks is currently still under restricted access. If the public wishes to visit, they must first apply to the Cultural Affairs Bureau. It is suitable for group visits via the Greater Tainan Bus routes Green 2, Green 10, and Green 11 branch lines as part of a bus-based cultural tour.

The Tainan Waterworks is located in Shanshan District, Tainan City. In November 2002, it was designated as a county-level historic site by Tainan County Government, and in June 2005, it was elevated to a national historic site (first-class historic site). During the Japanese colonial period, it was an important facility that supplied clean tap water to Tainan City. It was completed and began supplying water in 1922, and was in use until 1982 before being decommissioned. In addition to symbolizing Tainan’s modernization process, it also stands as a witness to the evolution of hydraulic engineering. The Tainan Waterworks and the Wushantou Reservoir were two major hydraulic projects of the time, both listed as Japanese Civil Engineering Heritage sites by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers. The society even came to Taiwan in 2010 to present the Japanese Civil Engineering Heritage certificate, highlighting its significant importance.

In 1922, the Tainan Waterworks purchased 14 British-made rapid sand filters.

▲Inside the water supply and booster pump room of the Tainan Waterworks, the preserved equipment after dismantling and the original state of four large reciprocating pumps are on display.

Director Chang Cheng-yuan stated that the Tainan Waterworks park still retains 14 rapid sand filters — the British-purchased water purification equipment, the water supply and booster pump room (four large reciprocating pumps), and the thermal power generator room, all of which are red-brick buildings from the Japanese colonial period. Visitors can not only experience the historical atmosphere of the park but also enjoy its unpolluted ecological environment and various plantings. He also recommends that travelers join group tours via the Greater Tainan Bus routes Green 2, Green 10, and Green 11, all of which have a “Shanshan Water Source Area” stop. The Tainan Waterworks park features highly valuable historic architecture, unpolluted natural landscapes, and rich ecology, making it well worth a visit. However, the park is still under government control, and visitors must apply to the Cultural Affairs Bureau before visiting and cannot enter without permission.

▲The Greater Tainan Green 10 branch line bus passing by the National Historic Site Tainan Waterworks.

National Historic Site Tainan Waterworks
Address: No. 16, Shanshan Village, Shanshan District, Tainan City
Phone: 06-578 1004
Visiting Information:
1. Water Source Area (Visits require application; please refer to and fill out the Application and Visiting Guidelines for the National Historic Site Former Tainan Waterworks Water Source Area)
2. Purified Water Pool Area (No reservation required for visits; open for free access)
Opening Hours:
1. Water Source Area (09:00–11:30, 14:00–17:00)
2. Purified Water Pool Area (08:30–12:30, 13:30–17:30; closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Travel Tips:
1. Submit an online application directly to the Sixth District Office of Taiwan Water Corporation
2. The area contains old buildings and equipment; please be cautious and mindful of safety. The natural ecology is abundant.

Transportation Information
Bus Tips (for Tainan Waterworks)
1. Take the Greater Tainan Bus Green 2 branch line at the bus transfer station in front of Shanhua Railway Station, get off at Shanshan Water Source Area stop, and you will arrive at the entrance of the Tainan Waterworks.
2. Take the Green Main Line at the Greater Tainan Bus North Station at Tainan Railway Station, get off at Xinhua Transfer Station, then transfer to the Green 10 or Green 11 branch line bus, get off at Shanshan Water Source Area stop, and you will arrive at the entrance of the Tainan Waterworks.
3. Entry to the National Historic Site Tainan Waterworks requires an application to the Cultural Affairs Bureau. Online visiting application form:http://culture.tainan.gov.tw/form/index-1.php?m2=52&id=1071

More information can be found atTainan City Government website (http://www.tainan.gov.tw/tainan/default.asp)for details.

※ Passengers using electronic tickets on main and branch buses can enjoy a basic fare of NT$26 for the first 8 kilometers, and an additional NT$9 discount when transferring within 2 hours. The Greater Tainan Bus Dynamic System APP has been completely redesigned and relaunched—everyone is welcome to download and use it.