By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
In response to the Michelin Green Guide’s recommendation, the Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau has launched a series of urban sightseeing guide services. From 2011 to July 2014, the number of tours has officially exceeded 1,000. To thank the public for their support, free urban guided tour services will continue to be offered. Interested individuals are welcome to make reservations via the online booking system.
The Chihkan Tower is one of the must-visit attractions in Tainan. The existing Chihkan Tower is actually a combination of remnants of Fort Provintia, the Temple of the Sea God, and the Wenchang Pavilion. It is now a national first-class historic site. (Image provided / Mook Editorial Department)
The "Michelin Guide," regarded as the culinary Bible of travel, released the "Green Guide – Taiwan Edition" (English version) in March 2011, listing Tainan as a three-star must-visit city in Taiwan. Among its highlights, the Chihkan Tower, Sizhen Wu Temple, Grand Queen of Heaven Temple, Confucius Temple, and Nankunshen Daitian Temple were each awarded three-star status.To coincide with the release of the Michelin Green Guide and promote Tainan’s rise as an international tourist destination, showcasing the unique features of the city and its attractions, the Tourism Bureau planned and launched the "Tainan Michelin Three-Star Tour" series of urban walking routes. These include: “Historic Walking Tour of the Ancient City,” “A Stroll Through Anping Old Street,” “Wandering the Five Channels of the Old Town,” and “Moon Harbor Exploration in Yanshui.” Additionally, the “Guanziling Hot Spring Village Stroll” is scheduled to launch in October. Since its inception in July 2011, the number of service tours has officially surpassed 1,000, with over 10,000 visitors participating. The urban walking tours have become widely loved by tourists and a new trend in travel.
The Yanshui Beehive Rockets event takes place in Yanshui District, Tainan City. It features a large firing platform made up of many skyrockets. When ignited, the rockets fire in all directions like a swarm of bees pouring out of a hive, making it the most lively annual event in Tainan during the Lantern Festival. (Image source / eventaiwan)
The Tourism Bureau stated that in recent years, the city government has actively promoted Yanshui. Aside from successfully including the “Yanshui Beehive Rockets” in Taiwan’s Tourism Calendar as one of the representative international events of Taiwan, the “Yanshui Moon Harbor Lantern Festival” has been held for three consecutive years, attracting a large number of tourists. To allow visitors to gain a deeper understanding of Yanshui, the “Yanshui Moon Harbor Stroll” was launched in May, offering free guided tours every Saturday at 3 PM. Additionally,in July, the “Five Channels of the Old Town Stroll” was introduced, allowing visitors to explore the gathering place of traditional crafts and creative industries. In addition to the “Sunlight Line” operating every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the first nighttime guided walking route, the “Starlight Line,” was launched, offering free guided tours every Friday and Saturday evening from 7–9 PM.
This year, based on visitor feedback over the past two years, the Tourism Bureau has adjusted the service hours to provide a more comfortable guiding environment.Starting in August, the morning session will be from 9–11 AM, while the afternoon sessions are divided into summer hours (April–October, 4–6 PM) and winter hours (November–March, 3–5 PM). Different walking routes are available for various time slots, allowing visitors to choose the best time for their urban stroll and discover the cultural heritage of Tainan.
“Shennong Street,” formerly known as Beishi Street, is the best-preserved old street in Tainan City and the most important site of the “Five Channels Cultural Park.” (Image provided / Mook Editorial Department)
Whether under the scorching summer sun or the biting winter winds, 73 professional guides, undeterred by changing weather conditions, have delivered tours with dedication and a strong sense of civic responsibility. With over 1,000 guided sessions, they have passed down Tainan’s stories step-by-step, offering visitors not just a healthy walk but also a deep cultural journey.
Walking along Tainan’s Haian Road, you’ll see the crumbling walls of the Tainan Haian Road Art Street, presenting an interesting mix of old and new, as if time has turned backward. (Image provided / Tainan City Tourism Bureau)
Those planning a walking tour in Tainan can visit the Tainan Tourism website to check out travel itineraries in the Tainan Michelin Three-Star Tour section and use the online booking system to make reservations. Everyone is welcome to join the Tainan Michelin Three-Star Tour and experience the wonderful moments of life in Tainan’s alleyways and lanes.