In the past, whenever I visited Baihe, I would usually head straight to Guanziling—soak in the hot springs, enjoy some urn-roasted chicken, and then go home. This time, I returned for the kapok blossoms in full bloom from March to April. I made a point to slow down and wander into the town center. The lively atmosphere of the market and the vibrant everyday bustle gave me a new impression of Baihe—no longer just a place of attractions, but a place rich with local life.
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
🎫 Asia Pacific Orchid Conference and Taiwan International Orchid Exhibition
🎫 National Taiwan Museum of History Tickets
◦ The Past of Baihe
Known as the “Lotus Town,” Baihe lies along a fault zone and has long been affected by earthquakes. Caught in a continual cycle of destruction and rebuilding, it has repeatedly shown remarkable resilience—much like the lotus, enduring and ever-renewing. In the 1970s, with the support of the local farmers’ association, Baihe began large-scale lotus cultivation, which transformed the town’s fortunes. Today, Baihe produces about two-thirds of the nation’s lotus supply. From lotus seeds to lotus root powder, these products generate substantial economic value and have become a vital lifeline for the local community.
◦ Attractions in Baihe
01｜Linchupi Kapok Road
From March to early April each year, the avenue is blanketed with vibrant red kapok blossoms in full bloom—its most enchanting season. This spot was once named one of the “15 Most Beautiful Flower Streets in the World” by international media, and it is the only location in Asia on the list, attracting many overseas visitors.
What pleasantly surprised me was that during the flowering season, someone arranges kapok flowers every day to form that day’s date. I visited on March 17, and the wooden boardwalk displayed the numbers “2026317.” It’s a thoughtful touch that feels wonderfully warm and human.
Linchupi Kapok Road Linchupi, Baihe Dist., Tainan
02｜Huoshan Daxian Temple
Most people who visit Guanziling also make a point of stopping by its two renowned temples—Huoshan Daxian Temple and Huoshan Biyun Temple. Located halfway up the mountain, Daxian Temple is one of the few representative sites in Taiwan that blends traditional Chinese temple architecture with elements of Japanese Buddhist design.
The main building, the “Mahavira Hall,” was reconstructed during the Japanese colonial period. Its exterior draws inspiration from the grand scale of Tōdai-ji in Nara, while its interior structure was designed by master timber craftsmen from Zhangzhou. During this visit, the temple was coincidentally restoring the gilded statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. I asked a monk nearby and learned that the previous restoration took place in 1997—making me feel especially fortunate to witness it this time.
At 11 a.m., an announcement over the temple’s speakers invited visitors to the dining hall for a vegetarian meal, offered on a donation basis. I joined the line with everyone else—simple, yet truly delicious.
Huoshan Daxian Temple Opening Hours: 0600-1700 No. 1, Yanqian, Baihe Dist., Tainan
03｜Huoshan Biyun Temple
Huoshan Biyun Temple is another well-known historic temple in Guanziling. Following the winding mountain road up from Daxian Temple, the first things that come into view are its vividly colored clay-sculpted entrance gate and the eye-catching stone lions. In traditional temples, stone lions symbolize protection and warding off evil. The pair at Biyun Temple, however, carry a playful charm—they sit atop decorative balls with gentle, endearing smiles, warmly welcoming visitors and worshippers alike.
The temple’s entrance gate itself is a priceless treasure. Looking outward from within, you can see the inscription “Xiao Xi Tian” (Little Western Paradise) above the gate, symbolizing this place as a pure Buddhist realm in the human world.
Huoshan Biyun Temple Opening Hours: 0530-2030 No. 1, Huoshan, Baihe Dist., Tainan
04｜Fire and Water Spring
“Fire and Water Spring” is a geological wonder you shouldn’t miss when visiting Guanziling. Due to fault-induced compression, fissures have formed in the rock layers, allowing natural gas to seep out through the cracks. Since this also happens to be a spot where groundwater emerges, it creates the unique phenomenon of “fire within water, and water within fire.”
But people in the past saw it quite differently. They believed that a male qilin once lived here: this site marked its head, the Guanziling hot spring area was where its four legs stood, and the hot springs… were said to be its urine. After hearing this legend, my initial excitement about soaking in the hot springs cooled off quite a bit.
Fire and Water Spring No. 18, Guanziling, Baihe Dist., Tainan
05｜Guanziling Hot Springs
Every winter, whenever I get the chance, I make a trip to Guanziling to soak in its mud hot springs, which are said to have skin-nourishing benefits. Over the years, I’ve tried several hot spring hotels, and my personal favorites are the open-air public bath at Reikei Hot Spring Resort and the private “Hefeng” bathhouse. The public bath is well-equipped, and if you go on a weekday, you might even have the place to yourself. The Hefeng bathhouse, on the other hand, offers a minimalist, Zen-inspired space where I can fully immerse myself in the simple pleasure of soaking.
This time, I visited Guanziling on a weekday. Although the weather was quite chilly—perfect for a hot spring day—the streets were noticeably quiet, which made me a bit concerned about the current state of domestic tourism.
◦ Restaurants and Snacks in Baihe
01｜Baihe Duck Noodle Stall
Stepping into Baihe Market, you don’t even need to see the sign to know you’ve arrived at the famous duck noodle stall—the long line at the entrance says it all. This nameless shop, with a history of over 80 years, is a beloved local favorite that many Baihe residents have grown up with.
I ordered a small bowl of duck noodles (yi mein) and a plate of sliced duck. The portions were generous, and the total came to just NT$100—an incredible value. The sliced duck, served with skin on, was thick, tender, and pleasantly chewy without being dry. As you slowly chew, a subtle sweetness from the duck fat emerges. Dipped in the shop’s homemade sweet-savory sauce, it delivers a nostalgic, classic flavor. The duck noodles are made with Yanshui-style yi mein, which are springy with a hint of egg fragrance. Paired with the natural sweetness of the duck, it’s truly a perfect match.
Baihe Duck Noodle Stall Opening Hours: 0600-1430, close on Thursday. No. 25, Shichang 2nd Ln., Baihe Dist., Tainan
02｜Chunquan Lotus Root Milk
Also located in Baihe Market, Chunquan is a long-established shop with over 60 years of history. It’s a place where many locals pick up a drink after finishing their grocery shopping. Since Baihe is known for its abundant lotus roots and lotus seeds, having a cup of lotus root tea or lotus root milk here feels especially fitting. Lotus root itself doesn’t have a particularly strong aroma or flavor, but it carries a naturally smooth texture and a subtle sweetness from its starch. When combined with fresh milk, the drink becomes even silkier and more refreshing—making it a perfect choice for cooling off.
Chunquan Lotus Root Milk Opening Hours: 0930-1930 No. 52, Zhongshan Rd., Baihe Dist., Tainan
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
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◦ Other Areas in Tainan
➤ Anding | Key Site of the King Boat Ceremony
➤ Yongkang | The Stunning Main Library Makes Me Want to Move Here!
➤ Shanhua | A Century-Old Market That Opens Only Nine Days a Month