Cold snap hits Tainan? Warm up with hot springs, gourmet food, and five heartwarming attractions

By MOOK Scenic Spots Kelly, compiled and reported
 
As cold fronts bringing temperatures below 10°C sweep in, many people give up on travel plans and choose to stay home to avoid the winter chill — a real pity. Nowadays, Tainan boasts many lesser-known winter getaways where you can not only enjoy warm-weather scenic spots but also savor comforting Tainan cuisine — making it the perfect winter travel destination.

1. Nansi Meiling (Plum Ridge)

The colder it gets, the more plum blossoms bloom. Right now, the plum blossoms at Meiling have begun to bloom and gradually cover the mountainsides. On a lucky day, you might even catch sight of a distant cloud waterfall — making it the best spot to admire plum blossoms. The nearby emerald-green Zengwen Reservoir, with its mirror-like surface, also offers a dreamily enchanting view. Aside from strolling along the paths to enjoy the flowers at Meiling, various dishes of plum chicken are must-try delicacies. The sweet-and-sour plums paired with a steaming hot chicken soup warm both body and soul — nothing could be more delightful in winter.

2. Liujia Orange-Red Bald Cypress Trees

Located next to the Linfengying Ranch along Provincial Highway 1, this area features a lakeside boardwalk. After wandering through Qingpu Pond, a whole row of dense bald cypress trees comes into view. Strolling along the pond’s edge feels like being immersed in a foreign landscape. When winter’s chill sets in and the forest changes color, the bald cypresses gradually turn a vibrant orange-red. Here, you can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery but also take plenty of photos to share, creating a delightful experience.

3. Guanziling Hot Springs

Tainan’s Guanziling Hot Springs are special mud baths with a history of over a hundred years. The area is also home to numerous scenic attractions such as Lingding Hero Slope, Fire and Water Spring, and Volcano Biyun Temple. In addition, local mountain delicacies such as barrel chicken, mushroom eggs, and fresh wild vegetables are loved by travelers from both home and abroad. Nearby, along the 175 Coffee Highway, you can enjoy rich coffee while taking in the sights. It’s one of the must-visit spots in Tainan for a winter hot spring experience.

4. Clear-Blanched Beef Soup

Tainan’s Shanhua is currently the main production area for native Taiwanese beef. Using fresh, locally delivered beef from that very morning and cooking it without any freezing throughout the process, Tainan offers some of the sweetest and freshest beef, making its beef soup scene truly diverse and widely praised. Several thin slices of beef are laid at the bottom of a large bowl, then blanched in a clear broth simmered from ox bones for five to seven minutes until they’re about 70% cooked. The pinkish-red beef shimmers as rising steam enhances its aroma. Paired with plain rice or minced meat rice, it’s a common breakfast choice for locals and also one of the must-try delicacies for visitors to Tainan.