2014 Tainan Arts Festival Begins – Enjoy 185 World-Class Performances Without Leaving Taiwan

Reported by You T-Ru / Compiled by Staff

The 2014 Tainan Arts Festival kicks off in Tainan City starting April, featuring up to 185 spectacular performances. Taking place on Fridays or weekends, the Tainan City Government’s Tourism Bureau has planned four recommended itineraries: “Two-Day Trip Around Xinying District,” “Two-Day Holiday in the Historic City,” and “Two-Day Trip to Xinhua District.” These include several Michelin-starred sites with international tourism potential, inviting visitors to explore these attractions while enjoying world-class performances in Tainan.


▲ Tainan Arts Festival “Deer Ear Spring Tide.”(Photo / Courtesy of official website)

The Tourism Bureau recommends usingXinying’s surrounding areas—Yanshui, Houpi, Dongshan, and Baihe—as a base. You can visit the rural scenery at Houpi’s Wumile Jingliao Community and Tugou Rural Art Museum, or take a stroll in Little South Bay Scenic Area, ride the mini train at Taiwan Sugar Wushulin Cultural Park, and enjoy famous Yanshui pasta or Dongshan duck heads. On the next day, you could choose a mountain trip to Guanzi Ridge and Wushantou Reservoir, or head south to the city area, taking Taiwan Tourist Shuttle routes 88 (Anping Line) or 99 (Taijiang Line) to explore Anping Old Street or discover the epic history of Taijiang.

Other performancesin the historic city areasuch as the King's Singers concert at Yidaijin Fortress on May 9 and the TIPC Percussion Show & Renato Martins Trio on May 30. The Tourism Bureau suggests visiting the Five Channels Cultural Park and Anping area on the first day to experience the charm of Tainan’s ancient capital, then heading to nearby Sicao and Qigu on the second day to explore wetland ecology and salt field culture. In the afternoon, continue north to Beimen District to visit the national historic site and the island’s foremost King of Kings Temple, Nankunshen Daitian Temple. In the evening, admire Taiwan’s last setting sun with the tile-pan salt fields as a backdrop in Beimen Jingzijiao area.

The Xinhua areaalso hosts multiple performances, including “Pearl Women’s Opera” at the restored Wude Hall on May 17 and Jinfeifeng Puppet Theater Troupe on May 24. Attractions on Xinhua Old Street such as the Street Office, Yang Kui Literature Museum, and Wude Hall are all worth visiting. Stay overnight at Hutoupi Reservoir, then head early the next morning to Erliao to witness Taiwan’s lowest-altitude sunrise sea of clouds, and visit Xinhua National Botanical Garden for a refreshing walk amid phytoncides. Families can also continue to Shuguh Life Science Museum.

The Tourism Bureau noted that most attractions on the suggested itineraries can be reached via public transport. Visitors can take the high-speed rail or train to Tainan, then transfer to the Greater Tainan Bus, city bus, or tourist shuttles 88 and 99. Currently, using electronic tickets such as an “iPass” or EasyCard also offers free basic mileage and transfer discounts — a great eco-friendly travel option for those wanting to skip traffic.

The “2014 Tainan Arts Festival” runs from now until June 20, spanning over two months, with 59 groups from Taiwan and 10 other countries presenting 185 theater, dance, and music performances across Tainan City. The Tourism Bureau emphasizes that by attending the “2014 Tainan Arts Festival,” visitors can enjoy top-tier international performances without leaving the country, while also exploring internationally renowned Michelin-starred attractions.