5 Must-Visit Stunning Buildings in Tainan That Are Like a Pilgrimage & Exude Rich Old-Town Charm

Reporter Li Zi-yi / Comprehensive Report

Tainan’s street food is top-notch and renowned across Taiwan. Its rich old-town cultural vibe blends seamlessly with the city, making Tainan one of the favorite cities for travelers. ETtoday EBC News has specially selected five stunning buildings in Tainan that allow you to immerse yourself in the unique charm of old Tainan, get baptized by its beautiful architecture, and take home a collection of stunning photos.

▲ Night view of the Lins Department Store. (Photo / Sourced fromWilliam LaiFan Page)

Lins Department Store

Taiwan’s first department store with an elevator reopened in June 2014. Over 80 years ago, it was the largest and most modern department store in Taiwan. Now, it's the smallest yet most locally distinctive department store in Taiwan, housing many cultural and creative goods, making it one of the must-visit spots for travelers to Tainan.

Address: No. 63, Section 2, Zhongyi Road, West Central District, Tainan City

▲ The immigration office with its blue dome and yellow-white color scheme looks like a castle. (Photo /A-Kuai’s Home)

Tainan Immigration Office

NL Tainan Immigration Office features a European-style castle exterior. The blue roof and white-yellow main building create a rather dreamy look. More than ten years ago, to encourage private investment, it was built and then rented out to an external vendor for a Western restaurant. After the lease expired, it was taken back and rented to the Immigration Office, also earning the nickname “the most beautiful government building in Taiwan.”

Address: No. 370, Section 2, Fufeng Road, West Central District, Tainan City

▲ First prize-winning work from the “Centennial Architecture Photography Contest” held by the National Museum of Taiwan Literature. (Photo / Provided by TMOL)

National Museum of Taiwan Literature

NL The National Museum of Taiwan Literature is a Mazars-style building with an elegant design that exudes a strong classical atmosphere. Surrounded by greenery, the building looks even more charming. The museum regularly holds free exhibitions. Its spacious interior and low crowd volume make it easy to enjoy the displays and your own peaceful time. It’s also very cool inside, making it a great summer retreat from the heat. The exhibitions at the museum are meaningful, and the building itself is beautiful—offering a relaxing and comfortable space.

Address: No. 1, Zhongzheng Road, West Central District, Tainan City

▲ There's a large green lawn in front of the former Tainan District Court, making it super photogenic. (Photo /mimi HanProvided)

Former Tainan District Court

NL The Former Tainan District Court is one of the three major courts during the Japanese colonial period and the oldest large-scale court building in Taiwan. After renovation, it reopened to the public in November 2016. The renovated court retains as much of its original exterior as possible, featuring a classic Western historical architectural style. Outside the building, there's a lush green lawn that pairs beautifully with the red-and-white structure, along with blue skies and white clouds—every shot looks like a painting.

Inside, there are many details too—exquisite carvings on beams and pillars everywhere that make you want to stop and snap a few more photos. Guided tours are also available to help visitors better understand the historical background of the Former Tainan District Court. Also, to maintain visitor experience, crowd control is enforced based on real-time attendance, limited to 1,500 people per day.

Address: No. 307, Section 1, Fufeng Road, West Central District, Tainan City

▲ The Governor’s Residence looks even more beautiful when the neem flowers bloom every April. (Photo /mimi HanProvided)

Governor's Residence

The Governor's Residence is a historic building from the Japanese colonial era. At that time, it served as the residence of the administrative head of Tainan Prefecture. Today, it is managed by Gaoqing Development, the same company behind the Lin Department Store. Last year, it underwent a complete redesign. The first-floor space houses the “1900” café, which also incorporates a cultural and creative goods shop and a bookstore, offering a diverse arts and culture experience. Around April each year, the margosa flowers in front of the building bloom, creating a stunning view of pink and purple blossoms stretching toward the sky.

Address: No. 1, Weimin St., East District, Tainan City