We took the train and arrived in Tainan, the oldest city in Taiwan. This city gives us a glimpse into the colonial era, where the Dutch colonization and later on the Japanese occupation have left their marks in the landscape and architecture of Tainan.
Zheng Chenggong (鄭成功) is considered by many Chinese to be the founder of Taiwan. 鄭成功廟, the temple dedicated to him in Tainan, was built in 1663. Cheng defeated the Dutch colonists and brought Chinese migrants into Taiwan.林百貨。A Japanese department store, one of the oldest in TaiwanRoof-top Japanese shrine at 林百貨An old building in central Tainan, now a restaurantThe owner has worked in this barber shop for 40+ years. Besides a men’s haircut, it offers traditional services such as head massage, nose hair trimming, and picking your ear wax.
Chiayi, Taiwan
After spending two nights in Tainan, we took the train and arrived in Chiayi.
The Modern Art Museum in Chiayi
Hinoki Village, Tainan
The Hinoki Village was a Japanese barrack during the era of occupation. The traditional Japanese houses have been transformed into shops next to beautiful Japanese gardens and ponds.
Guanziling 關子嶺
We took a day to travel to the mountain to visit the only mud hot spring in Taiwan. 關子嶺泥漿溫泉 is the only three mud hot springs in the world. The other two are in Sicily, Italy and Kagoshima, Japan.
The hot spring is rich in minerals. The spring water is warm and slimy.
