When people think of Liouying, often praised as Taiwan’s “hometown of dairy cows,” the first thing that comes to mind is its rich and fragrant fresh milk. I’m a devoted fan of Liouying milk myself. On this visit to Liouying, I discovered not only the local Liu clan culture, but also artists who left a profound impact on the worlds of painting and music. Only then did I realize there is another side of Liouying—one that is truly captivating.
Contents
◦ Tainan Travel Guide
01｜Transportation in Tainan
🚄 Taiwan High Speed Rail
🚗 Cross-city Chartered One-day Tour from Taipei
🛵 Tainan Motorcycle Rental Tainan Train Station Pick Up
🛵 Tainan Motorcycle Rental Pick up at Tainan Transit Station
02｜Popular Attractions in Tainan
🎫 Chimei Museum Permanent & Special Exhibition Ticket
🎫 Ten Drum Cultural Village Ticket
🎫 Tainan Naughty World Safari Ticket
🎫 Sicao Green Tunnel Ticket in Tainan
🎫 Tainan Art Museum Ticket
🎫 Anping Old Fort Admission Ticket
🎫 Anping Tree House Admission Ticket
🎫 Shan-Shang Garden and Old Waterworks Museum
03｜Things To Do in Tainan
🛶 Tainan Longshan Eco Boat Tour and Oyster Barbeque
🙌 Handmade Experience for Lifestyle Items
♨️ Reikei Hot Spring Resort in Tainan
💆🏻♀️ Royal Thai Massage in Tainan
◦ The Past of Liouying
Liouying was formerly known as “Chamuying,” a name that dates back to the Ming–Zheng period when Zheng Chenggong established a military camp here to survey and measure farmland. During the Japanese colonial era, the area was renamed “Liuying” due to the large number of residents with the surname Liu, and because the original name “Chamu” sounded inelegant. Later, since the characters for “Liu” (劉) and “Liu” (柳) are pronounced the same in Japanese, the name was changed to “Liouying,” which has been used ever since.
Liouying is known for its strong Liu clan heritage, century-old traditional houses, and its thriving dairy industry. It is also the hometown of several notable figures, including the renowned painter Liu Chi-hsiang and the celebrated composer Wu Chin-huai.
◦ Attractions in Liouying
01｜Deyuanbi Holland Village
Located in Liouying, Deyuanbi Holland Village features a man-made inland waterway that channels water from the Deyuanbi reservoir, creating the park’s most distinctive winding canal. One of the most popular activities—especially on weekends—is the canoe experience known as “Windmill Boating,” where visitors can leisurely paddle along the scenic waterway.
The entire park is modeled after the Dutch village of Giethoorn, incorporating classic elements such as windmills, traditional wooden clogs, and tulips to create a strong sense of European charm. The highlight of the park is a fully wind-powered windmill imported directly from the Netherlands and assembled under the supervision of Dutch technicians. Watching its blades slowly turn is incredibly soothing.
I visited on a weekday, when the park was quieter, and even met a friendly cat that seemed very familiar with the area after living there for quite some time. On weekends, however, the park transforms into a bustling tourist destination. Activities such as wetland eco-tours, sightseeing cart rentals, canoe experiences, and camping are all in high demand, so it’s best to make reservations in advance.
Deyuanbi Holland Village Opening Hours: 0900-1700 No. 100, Liuying Dist., Tainan For tour reservations and inquiries:Facebook page
02｜Liu Chi-hsiang Memorial Hall
Stepping into the Liu Chi-hsiang Memorial Hall, the soft yellow Western-style building appears especially gentle under the sunlight, setting a warm and inviting tone for the visit ahead. The former residence next door once served as Liu Chi-hsiang’s studio. It has now been transformed into a café and bookstore, offering drinks and desserts made with Dongshan coffee and locally produced fresh milk from Liouying.
A master of Taiwan’s art scene, Liu Chi-hsiang was born in Liouying and was among the few early Taiwanese artists who studied abroad in both Japan and France. His works were selected for the Taiwan Art Exhibition during the Japanese colonial period, a highly prestigious platform at the time, securing his important place in Taiwan’s art history. Inside, I was particularly drawn to the sense of “negative space” on the first floor. The minimalist layout features Liu’s art books and his figure studies copied at the Louvre. Portraits of his granddaughter and second wife hang on the walls. With relatively few works on display, the space invites visitors to slow down and appreciate the finer details in each painting.
In contrast, the second floor is much richer in content, showcasing his experiences studying in Tokyo and Paris. One photo that left a strong impression on me shows him copying Édouard Manet’s The Fifer at the Louvre—being able to learn so closely from a master was clearly a vital influence in shaping him into a great artist.
Liu Chi-hsiang Memorial Hall Opening Hours: 1000-1700, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. No. 112, Sec. 3, Zhongshan W. Rd., Liuying Dist., Tainan
03｜Former Residence of the Liu Family
Just across the street from the Liu Chi-hsiang Memorial Hall stands the Liu Family Historic Residence. The Liu family has long held a prominent position in the local community—one look at their detailed ancestral lineage chart makes it clear that this is no ordinary family.
The Liu family in Liouying traces its roots back to Liu Maoyan, a general under Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga). After Liu Maoyan fell in battle, Zheng personally arranged for his wife and young son, Liu Qiucheng, to be brought to Tainan and cared for. As he grew up, Liu Qiucheng developed the land in Liouying, becoming the founding ancestor of the Liu family in Taiwan. By the time of his great-grandson, Liu Richun, the family had amassed great wealth through the sugar industry. From then on, generations of talented descendants emerged—among them the renowned painter Liu Chi-hsiang, who was Liu Richun’s great-grandson. Liu Chi-hsiang’s journey to study in Tokyo and Paris in the 1920s, eventually becoming a master artist, was not only a result of his exceptional talent but also made possible by the strong support and resources of his family.
Built in 1890, the Liu Family residence is a traditional siheyuan-style courtyard house with over a century of history. Although the Liu family no longer resides here, the property is still regularly maintained and remains remarkably well preserved. Because the family produced both a successful civil examination graduate and a military examination graduate, the residence still reflects its former glory. In front of the house stand ceremonial “jinshi poles,” and inside the main hall hang plaques reading “Wenkui” (top scholar in civil examinations) and “Wukui” (top scholar in military examinations), offering a glimpse into the Liu family’s once-flourishing legacy.
Former Residence of the Liu Family No. 128, Sec. 3, Zhongshan W. Rd., Liuying Dist., Tainan
04｜Wu Jin-Huai Memorial Hall
Liouying has produced an impressive number of talents! In addition to the renowned painter Liu Chi-hsiang mentioned earlier, one of Taiwan’s most representative composers, Wu Jin-huai, was also born here.
Born in 1916, Wu Jin-huai traveled to Japan at the age of 12 to study music, specializing in classical guitar. During his time there, he performed under the stage name “Yaguchi Yukio.” With his striking appearance and exceptional vocal ability, he toured extensively for over a decade, gaining valuable stage experience that many would envy.
After living in Japan for more than 20 years, he returned to Taiwan following his mother’s passing. In the years that followed, he composed breakout hits such as Love in Guanziling and The Dim Moon, which quickly became iconic works of early Taiwanese popular music. In the 1980s, Wu Jin-huai’s career reached another peak. He composed numerous songs for major Taiwanese Hokkien singers, including Hung Yi-feng, Jody Chiang, Chris Hung, and Huang Yi-ling. He even took Huang Yi-ling as his final apprentice, personally teaching her orthodox vocal techniques and helping her secure performance opportunities—cementing his legacy as a master who shaped generations of top-tier artists.
Wu Jin-Huai Memorial Hall Opening Hours: 1000-1700, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. No. 158, Jiehe Rd., Liuying Dist., Tainan
05｜Nanyuan Garden Resort Farm
I had heard about Nanyuan for a long time—it’s a well-known, long-established attraction in Liouying. The park is best known for its unique lakeside log cabins, said to be the only ones of their kind in Taiwan. It also features six natural lakes, an aviary, an animal island, and even a rare overwater driving range. Friends who had visited in the past spoke highly of it, which made me eager to see it for myself.
However, after finally visiting, I have to be honest—I was quite disappointed. Walking into Nanyuan, you can still sense the original intention of designing the park in harmony with the natural landscape. The lakes are beautiful, the vegetation is lush, and many of the trees are over 150 years old. The environment certainly has the potential to be both educational and enjoyable. But as I continued exploring, I frequently came across abandoned or unused facilities. Some areas were even overgrown with weeds, giving the impression that the park has lost much of its former glory.
Currently, the admission fee for Nanyuan Garden Resort Farm is NT$350 for adults, with parking charged separately. If the facilities were well maintained, I would consider this price reasonable. However, given the noticeable deterioration and aging infrastructure, there may be better alternatives to consider.
Nanyuan Garden Resort Farm Opening Hours: 0800-1700 No. 25, Guoyihou, Liuying Dist., Tainan
◦ Restaurants and Snacks in Liouying
01｜Chilin Fresh Milk Tofu Pudding
When people think of Liouying, many immediately associate it with the area’s rich and silky fresh milk. Located right across from the Liouying District Office, Chilin Fresh Milk Tofu Pudding is a shop that takes full advantage of this local specialty. Their signature fresh milk jelly, made with locally sourced milk, completely won me over from the first bite—I instantly became a fan and couldn’t help but recommend it to others.
The menu is simple, focusing on Liouying’s fresh milk, along with their signature fresh milk jelly and soy milk caramel tofu pudding. You can also add toppings like red beans according to your preference. This time, I ordered the fresh milk jelly with caramel. From the very first bite, my mouth and nose were filled with a rich, milky aroma, followed by a subtle natural sweetness unique to fresh milk. The texture was incredibly smooth and delicate—it’s the kind of dessert that makes you wish you had discovered it sooner. The simpler the dish, the more it reflects true craftsmanship. For this cup of fresh milk jelly alone, I would definitely come back again.
Chilin Fresh Milk Tofu Pudding Opening Hours: 0800-2100 No. 80, Sec. 2, Liuying Rd., Liuying Dist., Tainan
02｜Yumei Fresh Milk Buns & Mantou
With no signboard and no obvious markings, this hugely popular spot—known mostly to locals—sits hidden inside a tin-roofed structure in the middle of the countryside. Most of the customers are regulars who clearly know their way around. They stream in one after another, and when they come out, they’re carrying big, bulging bags as if everything were free. No wonder this place doesn’t need any advertising or even a sign.
Rather than a typical storefront, it feels more like a workshop. The staff make buns and mantou on-site, and with the constant flow of customers, the space is lively, a bit crowded, and full of energy. Freshly steamed buns are laid out on racks just like in a bakery, with a wide variety of flavors to choose from. Their signatures include fresh milk pork buns, fresh milk mantou, and cheese rolls. My personal favorite is the fresh milk pork bun. Each large bun is generously stuffed with pork filling, mixed with crunchy, savory bamboo shoots. It’s rich without being greasy, and the chewy dough carries a subtle aroma of fresh milk. It’s incredibly addictive—and unbelievably, such a big and delicious bun costs only NT$20! Honestly, it’s probably a good thing this place is a bit out of the way—otherwise, I don’t know how other bun shops would survive.
Yumei Fresh Milk Buns & Mantou Opening Hours: 0900-1800, closed on Mondays. No. 107-1, Balaoye, Liuying Dist., Tainan
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
◦ Other Areas in Tainan
➤ North District | Delicious Noodles and a Private Museum
➤ Anding | Key Site of the King Boat Ceremony
➤ Yongkang | The Stunning Main Library Makes Me Want to Move Here!