Annan District, located in the southwest of Taina, blends natural and cultural landscapes and boasts rich historical heritage. For nature lovers, the Sicao Mangrove Green Tunnel is an irresistible attraction. Known as the "mini Amazon of Taiwan," visitors can take a bamboo raft through the mangroves, getting up close with mudskippers and fiddler crabs.
Annan is also a hub of historical and cultural treasures. Among them, Luermen Matsu Temple stands out as one of Taiwan's renowned temples dedicated to Mazu, the sea goddess. According to legend, Koxinga landed here after overcoming numerous hardships. In gratitude for Mazu’s protection, he built a thatched hut for worship, which later evolved into the Luerhmen Mazu Temple. The intertwining of history and nature in Annan leaves visitors enchanted, making it a must-see destination when exploring Tainan.
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 History of Annan
Less than 300 years ago, Annan District was part of the vast waters of the Taijiang Inner Sea. Historical records indicate that during the Qianlong era, new land began to emerge from the sea. This area, covered with Miscanthus grass, came to be known as "Jianzibou" (Field of Miscanthus). During the Daoguang period, the shifting course of the Zengwen River accelerated the silting of the inner sea. Coastal residents gradually reclaimed land and built temporary grass huts, leading to the formation of numerous place names with the character "Liao" (meaning hut). The term "Sixteen Liao of Taijiang" stands as a testament to this period in history. In 1946, it was incorporated into Tainan City as a provincial municipality. The district name "Annan" was derived from a combination of "Anshun" and "Tainan."
Today, much of Annan remains reclaimed land from the sea, making it challenging to cultivate. As a result, the district still primarily relies on agriculture and fisheries. While some Tainan residents view Annan as a suburban area, this very characteristic has allowed it to preserve many natural landscapes, making it one of the few places in Tainan where visitors can truly experience the harmony of nature and history.
◦ Attractions in Annan
01｜Luermen Matsu Temple
In 1661, Koxinga led his fleet to the waters off Luermen. Due to shallow waters preventing the ships from advancing, Koxinga set up an incense table and prayed to Mazu for protection. Shortly afterward, the tide quickly rose, allowing Koxinga to lead his troops ashore. He eventually defeated the Dutch and reclaimed Taiwan. From that point on, Luermen became regarded as the gateway to Taiwan.
To express his gratitude for Mazu’s protection, Koxinga built a thatched hut for worship, which marked the origin of Luermen Mazu Temple. In 1871, the Zengwen River changed course, and the temple was destroyed by flooding. The statue of "Kaiji Mazu" was temporarily housed in a private residence for worship. The temple was rebuilt in 1946 and underwent further expansion in 1977, resulting in its present form. It was officially named "Luermen Mazu Temple."
Luermen Matsu Temple Opening Hours: 0600-2100 No. 136, Mazugong 1st St., Annan Dist., Tainan
02｜Natural Defense of the Capital
I once read the phrase "Natural Defense of the Capital" in a textbook. At the time, I thought it described the difficulty Koxinga faced when landing. It wasn’t until I visited the mouth of the Luermen River and saw the stone monument inscribed with these words that the environment truly took shape in my mind. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Luermen was a crucial port and navigation channel along Taiwan’s southwestern coast. The sandbanks on either side of the river mouth resembled deer ears, and the narrow waterway was like a gate, hence the name "Luermen" (Deer Ear Gate).
Next to the stone monument stands Luermen Zhengmen Temple, a shrine dedicated to Koxinga, featuring red, white, and yellow as its main colors. At the temple entrance, two door gods with rare Western features guard the gate. Reflecting the idea that "since the Dutch were defeated by Koxinga, they were recruited as his lieutenants," artist painted the door gods in the likeness of Dutchmen using oil painting techniques. This unique and fascinating sight can only be found here.
Luermen Zhengmen Temple No. 420, Ln. 345, Mazugong 1st St., Annan Dist., Tainan
03｜Sicao Green Tunnel
Sicao Green Tunnel is located within Taijiang National Park and was once an artificial waterway used to transport essential goods such as salt and sugar. The native mangroves along the banks provide a habitat for many creatures, including fiddler crabs and mudskippers. The reflection of the trees on the water’s surface has earned it the nickname "Taiwan’s Mini Amazon."
Having once traveled to the Amazon rainforest from Peru, I remain cautious about fully endorsing this title, as the landscapes and ecosystems of the two places differ significantly. Compared to the Amazon, I find that the experience of gliding through the trees on a bamboo raft more closely resembles the atmosphere of Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake. Yet, as the raft gently moves forward and sunlight filters through the trees, shimmering on the water’s surface, I stop concerning myself with comparisons. The breathtaking scenery before me fills me with pride—Sicao Green Tunnel’s beauty is every bit as remarkable as any famous international destination.
Sicao Green Tunnel Opening Hours: 0800-1600 No. 360, Dazhong Rd., Annan Dist., Tainan
🎫 Sicao Green Tunnel Ticket in Tainan
04｜Sicao Dazhong Temple
Sicao Dazhong Temple, located next to the Sicao Green Tunnel, was a place I visited while waiting for the bamboo raft tour to begin. To my surprise, this grand and imposing temple does not enshrine a deity I was familiar with, but rather a Taiwanese figure named Chen You. Chen You was known from a young age for his extraordinary strength. According to legend, when Qing officials arrived in Taiwan, their ship became stranded along the shore. Despite the collective effort of the crew, they were unable to push the vessel back to sea. At that moment, Chen You single-handedly pushed the ship back into the ocean.
Chen You eventually rose to the rank of Commander-in-Chief of Guangxi, becoming the highest-ranking military official of Taiwanese descent during the Qing dynasty. However, his strict military discipline led to false accusations, and he ultimately chose to end his life by throwing himself into the sea. Legend has it that his body remained upright on the water's surface and drifted to Beishanwei Islet in Taijiang. When Emperor Qianlong learned of the incident, he praised Chen You’s loyalty and integrity, posthumously conferring upon him the title of "Grand Marshal of Ocean Defense." This marked Chen You as the first Taiwanese figure to be deified.
Sicao Dazhong Temple Opening Hours: 0700-1800 No. 360, Dazhong Rd., Annan Dist., Tainan
05｜National Museum of Taiwan History
Among museums that narrate Taiwan’s history, the National Museum of Taiwan History is the most creative one I have ever visited! The permanent exhibition, which tells the story of Taiwan’s centuries-long history, immediately reflects the museum’s unique curatorial approach. As soon as I entered the exhibit, I was captivated by a grand and magnificent world map. Step by step, guided by thought-provoking questions and poems on the wall, I began to uncover the evolving identity of the Taiwanese people.
What makes the experience even more fascinating is the interactive presentation of history. From the smuggling confrontations on Qing-era merchant ships to glimpses of life during the Japanese colonial period, and from Mazu pilgrimages to the Ghost Grappling Festival in Toucheng, Taiwan’s history feels intimately connected to daily life.
As I left the museum, I not only felt the joy of exploring history but also felt inspired to become part of the effort to document and pass down Taiwan’s precious memories.
National Museum of Taiwan History National Museum of Taiwan History Opening Hours: 0900-1700, closed on Monday. No. 250, Sec. 1, Changhe Rd., Annan Dist., Tainan
🎫 National Taiwan Museum of History Tickets
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
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◦ Other Areas in Tainan
➤ Houbi | Experience Taiwan at the International Orchid Show!
➤ Longci | Longci Light Festival
➤ Beimen | The Oldest Salt Field Site in Taiwan