Let’s begin the first article of the 2026 “Taiwan 368 Townships” with a place whose name already sounds auspicious — Anding (安定)! Anding is home to ancient temples and a rich King Boat culture, symbolizing heritage and divine protection. It is our hope that this blessing will bring everyone peace and prosperity throughout the year.
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
🙌 Lifestyle Goods DIY Experience at Zhuo Ye Indigo Dyeing House
♨️ Reikei Hot Spring Resort in Tainan
💆🏻♀️ Royal Thai Massage in Tainan
◦ The Past of Anding
Long ago, Anding was inhabited by the Siraya people of the Pingpu tribes, specifically the Chia-nung community. It once served as a small trading port within the Taijiang Inland Sea. During the Ming Zheng period, Han settlers came to cultivate the area and named it Yongding Village (永定里). In the Qing era, it was later renamed Anding Village (安定里). In 1823, the Zengwen River flooded and changed its course, depositing large amounts of silt that gradually turned the Taijiang area into land. As a result, the port lost its function, and Anding slowly transformed into an agricultural village. Perhaps the name “Anding,” meaning “peace and stability,” reflects the early settlers’ heartfelt wish to live and thrive safely on this land.
◦ Attractions in Anding
01｜Su Cuo Zhen Hu Temple
Located in the Su-Cuo area of Anding, the Su Cuo Zhen Hu Temple has deep roots in local belief and the King Boat Festival culture. In the early days, residents of the area worshipped at Changxing Temple, the main community temple. Later, the Guo family and other residents living in the southern part of the village began privately worshipping the Five Lords (Li, Chi, Wu, Zhu, and Fan). They received divine incense and spiritual authority (fenling) from Changxing Temple and decided to establish a new temple of their own. In 1993, the Su-Cuo First Generation Tianfu Zhenhu Temple was officially completed.
This temple is an important site for studying the King Boat Festival traditions, closely intertwined with the history of Su-Cuo itself. According to local accounts, in 1864, a sailing ship docked by the Zengwen River carrying the statues of the Five Lords. The vessel turned out to be a King Boat released by the Daitian Temple in Liuying during a ritual offering to the gods. When the villagers respectfully sent the King Boat downstream, it miraculously sailed back against the current three times, eventually stopping at the same spot. After divination, it was revealed that the Lords wished to reside there to protect the area. The villagers then welcomed the deities and continued the sacred King Boat Festival tradition from that time onward.
Next to Su Cuo Zhen Hu Temple stands a boat workshop that preserves a King Boat built in 1958 from Taiwan cypress wood. The boat features a miniature cabin modeled after the façade of Zhenhu Temple, along with flags and ceremonial plaques used during the Lords’ patrols on behalf of Heaven. At the bow is a “Lion Biting the Sword” carving, a symbol of protection and peace, while both sides are decorated with paintings of the Eight Immortals. In front of the boat are figures representing accompanying devotees. This King Boat is not only a testament to enduring faith but also the most treasured artifact of the Su Cuo Zhen Hu Temple.
Su Cuo Zhen Hu Temple Opening Hours: 0600-2000 No. 293-2, Sucuo, Anding Dist., Tainan
02｜Su Cuo Changxing Temple
According to historical records, the origin of Changxing Temple, the main community temple of Su-Cuo, can be traced back to March of 1679. One night, the early settlers of the area heard beautiful, melodic music coming from the banks of the Zengwen River. Out of curiosity, they went to investigate and discovered a small boat. On the boat stood twelve command flags, each inscribed with the names of twelve divine lords — Zhang, Yu, Hou, Geng, Wu, He, Xue, Feng, Zhao, Tan, Lu, and Luo — collectively known as the Twelve Lords. The villagers regarded this as an auspicious sign, respectfully bringing the King Boat into the village and constructing a simple thatched shrine by the riverbank to enshrine and worship the deities.
The villagers believed that this King Boat originated from a ritual send-off ceremony in a coastal region of China, where such vessels were released to carry away misfortune and disease. After drifting across the sea, the boat arrived at Su-Cuo, symbolizing the descent of divine protection upon the land. To express their reverence, the villagers performed a King Boat Sending Ceremony, following traditional ritual protocols. Records show that Su-Cuo Changxing Temple had already begun holding King Boat Festivals as early as 1772. This makes it the earliest temple in Taiwan known to have conducted a King Boat Festival, marking Su-Cuo as one of the most significant birthplaces of this ritual tradition in southern Taiwan.
Su Cuo Changxing Temple Opening Hours: 0800-2000 No. 456, Sucuo, Anding Dist., Tainan
03｜Xinyu Xiang
“Pig Feed Grocery Store?!”
A few years ago, I remember eating their delicious mahua (twisted fried dough), so why does the old signboard of Xinyu Xiang still hang there—yet now it seems they’re selling pig feed instead of snacks? Stepping into the small shop in the courtyard, you’ll see jars labeled “pig feed” neatly lined up on the shelves. But take a closer look—inside are actually colorful, flavored popcorns! This clever idea came from the third-generation owners, whose creativity unexpectedly turned this once low-profile snack shop into an online sensation.
Founded nearly 70 years ago, Xinyu Xiang was established by its founder affectionately known as Uncle Crispy Sticks (Cui Zhi Bo in Taiwanese). In those days, when food was scarce, Uncle Crispy Sticks farmed during the day and sold mahua on the side, cycling to local markets and grocery co-ops to make a living. A master snack maker, impressed by his hard work and eagerness to learn, taught him the craft of making mahua. From then on, Uncle Crispy Sticks began producing his own batches—marking the start of the Xinyu Xiang mahua story. Today, in the hands of the quick-witted third generation, the brand has been reinvented with playful creativity. They not only introduced large snack gift packs, but also packaged their popcorn in bags labeled as “pig feed”—a humorous twist that transformed Xinyu Xiang from a humble alleyway snack shop into a viral online favorite.
Xinyu Xiang Opening Hours: 0900-1900 No. 205, Sucuo, Anding Dist., Tainan
04｜Su-Cuo Detention Basin
The Su-Cuo and Su-Lin neighborhoods in Anding District have long suffered from recurring floods caused by the backflow of the Zengwen River. To resolve this persistent problem, the city government invested nearly NT$900 million to construct the largest detention basin in Tainan in the surrounding area. So, what exactly is a detention basin? Simply put, it is a man-made low-lying reservoir designed to temporarily store excess surface water during heavy rainfall. By doing so, it slows the flow of floodwaters and helps prevent inundation in downstream areas. Beyond its flood-control function, the basin also serves multiple purposes—during dry seasons, it doubles as a park and recreational space for the community.
What makes the Su-Cuo Detention Basin particularly noteworthy is its thoughtful integration of local culture into its design. Inspired by Anding’s King Boat Festival, the landscape incorporates cultural motifs and artistic elements that celebrate the region’s heritage while enhancing its scenic beauty.
Su-Cuo Detention Basin Try searching “Su-Cuo Detention Basin” on Google Maps.
05｜Soapberry Biotech
As a longtime user of Soapberry Biotech products, I was thrilled to learn that their tourism factory is located right here in Anding — so of course, I had to visit! After touring the site, I found that the factory perfectly reflects the brand’s character: practical, natural, and full of substance. (This isn’t a sponsored post — I’ve gone through countless bottles of their “Magic Lemon Foaming Limescale Cleaner,” which works wonders in both the bathroom and kitchen! Their shampoos are equally irresistible.)
As I approached the factory, I saw several employees busily packing and organizing boxes. The warm-hearted owner called out, “Go on in and take a look first, I’ll join you once I finish this batch.” Seeing how thriving my favorite brand has become genuinely lifted my spirits.
Stepping into the product showroom, I was greeted by a light, refreshing fragrance. Rows of cleaning and personal care products lined the shelves — an instant sense of calm and satisfaction. Soapberry Biotech’s story begins with the soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi). The owner kindly showed me a few glossy, round soapberries, explaining that they are rich in natural saponins — gentle yet highly effective cleansing agents. Because they’re derived from nature, they are especially skin- and hair-friendly, offering a mild, sustainable alternative to chemical-based cleansers. No wonder I’ve been loyal to them for so many years — once you start using Soapberry Biotech’s soapberry products, it’s hard to turn back.
Soapberry Biotech Opening Hours: 0900-1700, closed on weekend. No. 62-18, Anding Dist., Tainan
06｜Nan’an Elementary School Mini Confucius Temple
Just 400 meters away from Soapberry Biotech, Nan’an Elementary School is home to the smallest Confucius Temple in all of Taiwan. Every year, during the entrance ceremony for new students and the graduation ceremony for departing ones, the principal personally leads students in bowing to Confucius, the Great Sage and Teacher — a heartfelt ritual that has become a cherished school tradition. The tiny temple sits beside the school’s assembly platform, and its origin dates back to the Japanese colonial period, when the site originally served as the foundation of a Shinto shrine. After World War II, when Japan was defeated, there was local debate over whether the structure should be demolished. About thirty years ago, however, the then-principal made a visionary decision — to rebuild the old shrine base into a Confucius Temple, transforming the space into one filled with educational and cultural meaning.
Nan’an Elementary School Opening Hours: 0630-1630, closed on weekend. No. 62, Anding Dist., Tainan
◦ Restaurants and Snacks in Anding
01｜Shifangxuan Peanut Candy
Thanks to a generous coworker, I used to have plenty of chances to enjoy Shifangxuan’s peanut soft candy. The rich aroma of roasted peanuts combined with its perfectly balanced sweetness always had me finishing half a jar before I even realized it. Having been rooted in Anding for over 40 years, Shifangxuan has earned numerous awards, including the Excellence Prize for Traditional Pastry, and is even the go-to brand chosen by the local district office for festive gift boxes — a true testament to its popularity. During my visit, I was surprised to find that Shifangxuan offers a wide variety of traditional snacks. While I was still deciding what to buy, a friendly local enthusiastically recommended their brown sugar crisps, saying they get more fragrant the longer you chew. Naturally, I was convinced — and ended up happily taking home a few extra bags!
Shifangxuan Peanut Candy Opening Hours: 0700-1900 No. 227, Sucuo, Anding Dist., Tainan
02｜Pinming Turkey Rice
Pinming Turkey Rice was recommended to me by a friendly woman I met at Xinyu Xiang, and I’m so glad I took her advice! From the cozy dining environment to the attention to detail in every dish, you can truly feel the care the owners put into their food.
Their signature dish is the Braised Pork Rice with Turkey (Ji-Lu Fan) — tender slices of turkey, juicy and never dry, paired with flavorful braised pork. The combination is simply delicious. They also offer a variety of side dishes on-site, giving the meal a comforting, homemade touch.
Pinming Turkey Rice Opening Hours: 1000-1330, 1630-1900, closed on weekend. Try searching “Pinming Turkey Rice” on Google Maps.
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
◦ Other Areas in Tainan
➤ Yongkang | The Stunning Main Library Makes Me Want to Move Here!
➤ Shanhua | A Century-Old Market That Opens Only Nine Days a Month
➤ Annan | Mini Amazon in Taiwan