1. City Introduction
Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and its former capital. Known as the “Kyoto of Taiwan,” it is celebrated for its high density of historical temples, fortresses, and preserved old streets. According to Travel Tainan, the city is famous for its slow-paced lifestyle and profound cultural heritage. For ALSA attendees, visiting Tainan is like walking through a living history book of Taiwan.
2. NYCU in Tainan
NYCU Tainan Campus — Our Tainan campus is home to the College of Photonics. It is strategically located in the Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City, right next to the High Speed Rail (HSR) Tainan Station. This campus is a hub for cutting-edge research in optoelectronics and green energy, serving as a critical link between academia and the high-tech industries of Southern Taiwan.
3. Getting There from Hsinchu
The Tainan campus is arguably the most accessible campus for HSR travelers, as it is located within walking distance of the station.
| Route | THSR Hsinchu Station ➔ THSR Tainan Station |
| Travel Time | Approximately 80 minutes |
| Campus Access | The NYCU College of Photonics building is just a 5-minute walk from the HSR station exit. |
| To City Center | To visit historical sites in the city center, transfer to the TRA Shalun Line (Local Train) at the HSR station. It takes about 20 minutes to reach Tainan Railway |
4. Top Attractions
A. Chimei Museum
Minutes from the Campus
Just a short taxi ride from the HSR station/NYCU campus, Chimei Museum is famous for its grand European-style architecture and vast collections of Western art, musical instruments, and weaponry. It looks like a classical palace straight out of Versailles.
B. Anping Old Fort & Tree House
The Historical Roots
Located in the historic Anping District, this was the site of the first Dutch settlement in the 17th century. The nearby Anping Tree House features an old warehouse completely consumed by massive banyan roots, creating a surreal, “Tomb Raider”-like atmosphere.
C. Confucius Temple & Hayashi Department Store
City Center Highlights (市中心亮點)
Visit the Tainan Confucius Temple, known as the “First School in Taiwan,” to see refined Qing Dynasty architecture. Nearby is Hayashi Department Store, a restored 1930s Art Deco building that now sells high-quality local design goods and souvenirs.
D. Ten Drum Rende Creative Park
Industrial Heritage
Near the Chimei Museum, this former sugar refinery has been transformed into a drumming performance venue and adventure park. It is a fantastic example of industrial heritage revitalization.
製作單位：財團法人奇美博物館基金會 |
拍攝者：VISION 製作單位：交通部觀光署 |
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5. Culinary Delights
Tainan is widely recognized as the “Food Capital” of Taiwan. The local flavor profile is known for being slightly sweet.
A. Tainan Beef Soup
The Local Breakfast
Fresh, unfreezed beef is sliced paper-thin and doused with boiling broth. It is tender, sweet, and typically eaten for breakfast (some shops open at 4 AM!). Famous spots include Six Thousand Beef Soup.
B. Danzai Noodles
The Iconic Snack
Served in small bowls, these noodles are topped with minced pork sauce and a single shrimp. Tu Hsiao Yueh is the most famous historical brand.
C. Garden Night Market
The Largest Night Market
One of the largest outdoor night markets in Taiwan. Look for flags waving high above stalls to find popular items like Coffin Bread (fried bread filled with chowder) and Guava marinated in licorice powder. Note: Open on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
(AI Generated)
6. More Information & Data Sources
Travel information is adapted from the Travel Tainan (Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau).
| Official Website (English): | https://www.twtainan.net/en |
| Traffic: | https://www.twtainan.net/en/statics/goto |
Data & Photo Acknowledgements
| Tainan City Photos: | Courtesy of the Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau. |
| Disclaimer: | All images are used exclusively for the non-profit promotion of the ALSA 2026 conference and strictly adhere to the open data regulations of the respective government agencies. |