Top 5 Spring Festival Activities & Scenic Spots in Tainan – A Lazy Guide to Lunar New Year Travel

By MOOK Scenic Spots Chen Wenlin | Photos provided by Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau
 
With the Lunar New Year approaching, besides the recent hotspots in Tainan such as the Chimei Museum, Lint Department Store, Guanziling Mud Hot Springs, and leisure farms that are perfect for spring outings, there are also many other holiday travel destinations. These spots not only offer diverse themed activities, but also allow you to explore outdoor attractions, popular photo spots, and new ways to enjoy the holidays, while immersing yourself in the unique festive atmosphere of this ancient cultural city. Those traveling to Tainan for the New Year can consider these great travel itineraries to create unforgettable new Spring Festival experiences.

1.Festive activities for the New Year vibe – Moon Lake Harbor Lantern Festival, Yanshui Beehive Rockets, Puji Temple Lantern Display, and the Mountain Prayer for Bats Spring Flower Viewing Event

The internationally renowned “2018 Moon Lake Harbor Lantern Festival” will be held during the holiday season. This year’s creative theme, “A Date,” showcases the charm of Yanshui under the moonlight, with glowing light installations reflecting beautifully on the waterways and riverbanks. The local artistic lantern displays in Yanshui are truly spectacular and worth looking forward to.

The highlight of the Lantern Festival, the “Yanshui Beehive Rockets,” has been selected by Australia’s Get Lost Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Best Festivals in the World.” The launching of the rockets is a powerful spectacle, making it an experience that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. It’s also believed that the rocket shower can bring increasing good fortune for the coming year, offering a thrilling and rare experience.
 
The Puji Temple Spring Lantern Display will be lit up on February 10th, illuminating the night skies above the temple and Guohua Street shopping district. Thousands of hand-painted lanterns stretch along the streets, creating a highlight for spring outings in the ancient capital. During the Spring Festival, Guohua Street will become a pedestrian-only zone, featuring vintage toys, puppet shows performed in the temple square, allowing visitors to pray for peace while strolling and enjoying the lanterns—a truly delightful experience.
 
The recently viral photo spot among tourists, the “Former Tainan Waterworks,” is not only a national historic site in Shanshang District, but its castle-like old buildings, tranquil environment, secluded location, and rich bat ecology also give visitors the feeling of being in a European castle.

This year from February 10th to 19th, Tainan will also host the exciting “Spring Flower Viewing & Prayer for Bats in the Mountains” event. In addition to a carefully curated National Orchid Exhibition, dog-year-themed art installations, cherry blossom viewing and bat prayers at historical sites, and thematic flower fields, there will also be lively street performances—perfect for family-friendly outings during the holiday season.
 

2.IGPhoto hotspots – Snail Alley, Governor's Residence, Judicial Museum, Canal Cruise

Snail Alley, a must-visit photo spot for hipsters, is tucked away in the alleys near Zhongzheng Road and Minsheng Road in the old town. It was created by a group of friends passionate about cultural creativity, featuring the imagery of slow-moving snails paired with retro-style art installations and painted walls, making it highly unique. Within this maze-like alley, there are also many hidden cafes and specialty shops, making it a top destination for travelers who love taking photos.

The Governor's Residence is a historic building from the Japanese colonial era, once the residence of the head of Tainan Prefecture. Now managed by Kaiching Development, the same team behind Lint Department Store, it has been transformed into a concert hall, also housing bookstores and cultural and creative shops. Every corner is photogenic, making it the latest hot travel spot in Tainan.