Nostalgic Minshuku Experience in Tainan – Taiwan’s Nest & Jingliao Dutch Well Spring

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported | Source: Mona Lisa Editorial Department

In recent years, hotels in Tainan that blend old architecture with new designs, such as Jiājiā Western Market and Xiè Zhái, have been highly favored by travelers. If you want to experience another type of traditional local early-era triplex courtyard (sanheyuan) accommodation, the “Taiwan’s Nest Minshuku” in Annan District, Tainan City and the “Jingliao Dutch Well Spring Minshuku” in Houbi District are great choices!

Enter via Guosheng Road, a narrow lane opposite the Kaitei Tianhou Temple in Anping, and you’ll find Taiwan’s Nest Minshuku nestled among a row of old houses. This is the ancestral home of the Ou family and also a demonstration site for the restoration of traditional Anping residences.

Taiwan’s Nest Minshuku, which took a year to renovate and was completed in 2005, preserves the traditional post-and-lintel sanheyuan architecture. It was restored using traditional brick and wood, maintaining the artistic value of the old house. With only four rooms available, all are designed as shared sleeping spaces. In addition to reconnecting with the warm communal spirit of the sanheyuan, the hosts also cook a traditional breakfast of mullet congee, allowing guests to savor Tainan’s unique food culture. For those who wish to immerse themselves in local life, the hosts are happy to act as guides, taking guests to the market to experience how the people of Tainan start their day. However, Taiwan’s Nest Minshuku manager Ou Huifang reminds guests to make a reservation at least one week in advance, as same-day bookings are not accepted.

Additionally, Jingliao Dutch Well Spring Minshuku is housed in a century-old sanheyuan belonging to the Huang family, and is currently the only minshuku in Jingliao. Huang Yongquan, CEO of the Jingliao Village Community Revitalization Planning History and Culture Workshop, is the third-generation operator of the minshuku. In fact, the Huang family ancestors originally ran Xíexīng Lǚshè (Xie Xing Hotel), known to the older generation as a "Fàn Zǐ Jiān" (trader's inn). This sanheyuan minshuku carries on the legacy of this traditional business across generations, making it especially meaningful. Beyond accommodation, it also serves as a rural life experience museum for Jingliao. The rice field can be used for hopscotch, the Dutch well water can be used for washing clothes, and old bamboo beds are available for afternoon naps. The old kitchen stove, rice-pounding stone mortar, ox cart, and even a light rail track that had been lost for nearly 70 years have all been successfully restored here.

Taiwan’s Nest Minshuku

Address: No. 25, Guosheng Road, Annan District, Tainan City

Phone: 06-228-4177

Website: www.tayouan.com.tw

Jingliao Dutch Well Spring Minshuku

Address: No. 68, Jingliao Old Street, Li 6, Jingliao Village, Houbi District, Tainan City

Phone: 06-662-2705

Website: tw.myblog.yahoo.com/cnlceramists