Anping Dist.

Anping Chen Lai Residence has been erected in Yanping Street in the Qing dynasty. It was the residence of geomancer Ji-yun CHEN dispatched from Fujian in late Qing dynasty when he was a civil affair attendant during Japanese colonization. The building is a typical three-row street house. Part of the front row was demolished during the expansion of Yanping Street, only the second half of the front row, the middle and the rear rows survive. Inside the house there are mezzanine and coral-stone partition walls.

During 200 years from the Dutch occupation through the Kingdom of Tungnin to the reign of Emperor Daoguang, Qing dynasty, Anping was an isle separated from Taiwan Island. The wasters between Anping and Tainan coast was called the Taijiang Bay with water at 5-6m deep where large vessels could sail across. Anping is one of a series of sandbanks originally called Yikunshen. There are another six sandbanks between Anping and the estuary of the Erren River. All seven sandbanks were called one to seven Kunshen’s. Anping and Beixianwei (Bassemboy) sandbank are separated by waters.

The Dutch built the Orange city in 1622. Upon the completion in 1640, the city was renamed Fort Zeelandia, including the inner and the outer forts. The inner fort is a three-story square building, with the basement as a warehouse and a bastion at each of the four corners on the upper level of the two above-ground floors. Between each two corners there are the north, east, and south gates. On the lintel of the north gate, the words T'CASTEEL ZEELDIA GEBOUWED ANNO 1634 (Fort Zeelandia Built 1634) are inscribed.

Tainan Fire Department Disaster Prevention Education Hall is a great place to visit for children. In fact, it is often the chosen location for many school field trips. Despite its serious sounding name, the hall features a collection of antique fire safety facilities along with a number of equipment and apparatus that allow visitors to play as they learn. The goal is to help visitors understand and appreciate the steps and importance of fire hazard prevention in the easiest and simplest way. 

"The stretch that runs between the “prime canal area” at Huanhe Street and harbor of An-Yi Bridge is the prime spot for cityscape viewing along the canal. Anping Canal Tours has launched its canal tour services in which passengers will be delighted by the fish that occasionally leap out of the waters to greet them. Numerous skyscrapers and towers run along both banks of the canal. Fans of the motion picture Zone Pro Site will recognize the beautiful Jinhua Bridge and the Tree of Romance that appeared in the movie as they move down the canal.

“The blessing of the big fish” is a brand new piece of public art installation that Tainan City’s Tourism Bureau has commissioned renowned artist Yang Shih-Yi to construct at the Historic Harborside Park next to the Anping Canal.

Apart from its historic buildings, the beauty of Anping as a harbor city can also be enjoyed through yacht cruises. Tour cruises are available from the recreational pier at the other end of Anyi Bridge. During the hour-long cruise, the guide will introduce all the shipping vessels you see along the way including the formidable DDG-925 "TeYang", the “Chenggong” replica junk, common fishing boats and luxurious million-dollar yachts.

Waterview Bridge in Historic Waterview Park enjoys excellent views. The open expanse of the park means visitors can admire the lagoon and harbor views from the bridge. The highest point of the bridge offers sweeping views over the whole of Aping and Anping’s famed sunsets. There are wonderful views to be seen at dawn or dusk. Remnants of old sewer works indicate that the area was once connected to the ancient salt trading route and Anping Harbor, clear evidence that the history of Anping is inextricably bound up with the sailing culture.

The Blue Sea Pier was the former Anping Fish Market and one of the top 10 fishing harbors in Taiwan. Situated between the Sunset Platform and Anping Old Street, the Pier enjoys breathtaking seaside views. There is also an open-air food market and weekend/holiday street performances. Its proximity to Anping Fort and Old Street makes it a great destination for half-day tours.

The building was first built in 1882 as Anping Customs House. During the Japanese Period it was used by the Customs Club and Tainan Archives at different times.  After the end of World War 2 it was used as the Anping District Office at one point. Tainan City Government converted the building into the “Tainan City Yonghan Folk Crafts Museum” after Chiu Yonghan, a well-known businessman, donated his collection to the city.