The Old Taiwan Magistrate Residence (原臺南縣知事官邸), constructed in 1900, is known to Tainan residents as "The Clock Tower" owing to the clock pattern in relief on the gable of the original roof (山牆圖騰狀). As well as being the official residence of the county magistrate, it was also used as an imperial residence when the Japanese royal family came to visit, making it the only building designed for royal residence in southern Taiwan.
Located in Tainan’s East District, Tainan Theological College was established in 1903. The tranquil atmosphere matches the theological college perfectly. The simple gray walls are dotted with fresh tiffany green arched wooden windows, adding a romantic touch to the European style building. The sun shines into the white classroom corridors, giving the College a sacred feel. The small fountain in the center of the building is a popular spot with tourists, the carp in the pool having a spiritual calming effect as they swim around in a leisurely way.
Built from 1898 through to 1906, this site was formerly the residence of the Mayor of Tainan (台南廳長) during the Japanese Colonial Period. Later, it became a dormitory used by the head of the Department of the Interior. After World War II, it became the official residence of key government officials, and plain clothes police officers and guards used to stand watching over the place.
In the lane opposite the gas station at the intersection of Dongmen Road and Changrong Road(東門路長榮路口), several old Japanese style buildings can be seen. They are the Former Tainan Prefectural Agricultural Research Center Dormitories. In the Japanese Colonial Period, this area was where agriculture related government departments did research and experiments. The facilities included offices, agricultural laboratories, pathological insect research rooms and net houses. After renovation, the old buildings are now privately-operated arts exhibition spaces and unique small restaurants.
Former Tainan Prefectural Agricultural Research Center Dormitories (原臺南州立農事試驗場宿舍群) were built in about 1923. They have become a popular attraction in Tainan’s East District, called Kuruya. The Japanese atmosphere is much-loved. At Kuruya, visitors can wear a Japanese bath robe, experience the Japanese tea ceremony and enjoy some light foods and beverages; family activities are also held at weekends. It has become a place where Internet celebrities gather.
The Great East Gate (大東門) is located at the intersection of Dongmen Road (東門路) and Shengli Road (勝利路), and it is an important thoroughfare for traffic in Tainan city. The Great East Gate has become a Tainan landmark, and at the Eastern end of the gate the words Dongan Gate (東安門) are written, with the words Yingchun Gate (迎春門) likewise written at the Western end. The gate offered strong protection, and remains intact having protected the ancient city from attack. When the lights are lit up at night, it seems like Tainan’s very own Arc de Triumph.
Xun Fang Fort (巽方砲臺) is hidden away in a residential area, unknown even to many old Tainanese and, as such, it is veiled in mystery. It is the only remaining inland fort in Tainan. Located to the southeast of the Great East Gate, it was named “xun” because of its position in the eight divinatory trigrams. The fort was built from coral stone in 1836. The characters “Xun Fang Jing Zhen, (巽方靖鎮)” dating back to the reign of the Daoguang Emperor in the Qing Dynasty can be seen carved on the fort. To find this mysterious temple, go to Xiuchan Temple(修禪院) on Guanghua Street(光華街).
Dong An Fang(東安坊) is centered around the East Gate, the area encompassing historic churches, the Chenghuang Temple and Dongyue Temple(城隍廟與東嶽殿). The area east of the East Gate was an important settlement when Western churches first came to Tainan; Taiwan’s first university, Tainan Theological College(台南神學院), Taiwan’s first modern hospital, Sin Lau Hospital, Taiwan’s first junior high school and girls’ junior high school, Chang Jung Junior High School and Chang Jung’s Girls’ High School, and Taiwan Church Press are all in the area.
The Magic School of Green Technologies(綠色魔法學校), completed in 2011, was Taiwan's first zero-carbon building. It incorporates the concept of modern green architecture and hopes, like Noah's Ark, to save the world; the design team implemented the "Ark" theme strongly in the building's architectural modeling. The large conference room on the 2nd floor adopts the chimney effect and buoyancy ventilation principle to keep the temperature of the entire conference room comfortable, and is well worth a visit.
Located in the East District of Tainan (台南市東區), opposite the Tainan Cultural Center (台南文化中心), the large Barclay Memorial Park (巴克禮公園) acts as the lungs of the city. To say it is Tainan's most popular park and full of artistic flavor would not be an exaggeration. Spring and Summer turn the park lush with green, with occasional fluorescents at night; fall and winter it is sprinkled with yellow and red fallen plumeria pine needles, and shadows are cast everywhere you walk. The park is often full of happy picnicking crowds, just like in the Central Park in New York City.