How to Explore Tainan During the Spring Festival: Registration Info for Two Michelin 3-Star Routes

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family / Compiled & Reported

The Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau has launched guided walking tours of Michelin 3-Star sites, coinciding with the Lunar New Year. Starting February 2, the “Lion Dances & Old Streets of Anping” and “Cultural Strolls Through Historic Tainan” walking routes will be available during the 9-day Lunar New Year holiday from February 1 to February 10, with a total of 64 sessions. The public can register online.

This time, the Anping area is offering two walking routes: “Lion Dances & Old Streets of Anping” and “Cultural Strolls Through Historic Tainan,” each reflecting Anping’s history, seaside charm, and the texture of its old streets and neighborhoods.

“Cultural Strolls Through Historic Tainan” features 5 museums, 4 streets, and 3 lanes. The 5 museums are the Min’an Museum, Haishan Museum, Fenghuo Museum, Kinmen Museum, and Tibiao Museum—these were lodging quarters for rotating Qing soldiers during the Qing Dynasty. The 4 streets are Yanping Street, Zhongxing Street, Xiaozhong Street, and North Street, originally planned by the Dutch as settlements for the Han Chinese community. Additionally, the community-created Pot Lane, Jasmine Lane, and Rouge Lane add lively decorations to the alleyways.

Meanwhile, “Lion Dances & Old Streets of Anping” recounts how Anping experienced the eras of Dutch rule, the Ming Zheng Kingdom, the Qing Dynasty, and Japanese colonization. It was a time of port trade, the establishment of consulates, and the coming and going of merchant ships from various countries at Anping Port. At that time, compradors emerged. Lu Jingtang was a comprador who rose to prominence in Anping after Taiwan opened its ports for trade in the late Qing period. He traded in sugar and was the general agent in Taiwan for the American company Standard Oil, making him a pioneer in Taiwan’s oil industry. He operated the “Fengyuan” trading company, which facilitated cargo transport. Now, Lu Jingtang’s former residence has been designated as a municipal historic site. Moreover, traditional Tainan homes often feature sword lions on their gates and walls as symbols of good fortune and protection against evil spirits—a unique local feature. Now, follow expert guides to experience the former glory of Anping Port and the historic district.