Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Jiājiā Xishìchǎng Lǚdiàn; 220 9866;
http://jj-w.hotel.com.tw/eng
/
; 11 Zhengxing St, 11; d from
NT$3200; )
The sophisticated style of the designer rooms in this hotel attracts returning
visitors from Hong Kong and Japan. The hotel is awash with art-inspired designer cool,
and each of the 30 rooms is funky and unique. The only downside is you can't pick the
room you want as you'll be allocated what's available upon arrival.
Takatama Hotel
HOTEL $$$
(Gāoyù Shāngwù Fàndiàn; 220 1006;
www.takatamacoco.com.tw/hotel.php
;
3rd fl, 2 Chenggong
Rd, 2 3; d/tw incl breakfast from NT$1200/1790; )
Don't be put off by the awful building
exterior because inside, on the 3rd floor, this budget hotel provides well-sized and clean
rooms, good breakfast and an excellent location right opposite the train station.
Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel
HOTEL $$$
$$$
(Xiānggélǐlā Táinán Yuǎndōng Guójì Dàfàndiàn; 702 8888;
www.shangri-la.com/tainan/
fareasternplazashangrila
; 89 Dasyue Rd, 89; d/tw/ste incl buffet breakfast NT$3350/5800/7000;
)
Superbly located right behind the train station, this grand dame of Tainan
boasts 333 rooms with plush beds and impeccable service that has come to be expected
from any Shangri-La hotel. Most rooms offer a view of the city, and the rooftop pool
makes for a great escape after a long day out in the humid city.
Eating
Tainanese brag about their food and, indeed, this place is famous throughout Taiwan for
its great variety of street snacks. The strong foodie culture here means you'd be hard
pressed to find any city street not chock-a-block with eateries.
For traditional food you can't beat the areas around Chihkan Towers and Anping Fort.
Look for
dan zai mian
(
dànzǎi miàn;
a soupy bowl of noodles with braised pork top-
ping), coffin cake (
guāncái bǎn
) and milkfish belly soup (
Shīmù Yúdùtāng
).
Some of the best areas for casual eating in Tainan are down narrow back alleys.
Bao'an Rd, a narrow old street a few blocks west of Confucius Temple, is lined up with
shops and stalls selling traditional dishes, as is Yenping St in the Anping area, which
dates back to a Dutch-era market.
In central Tainan the leafy old street directly east of the Confucius Temple (through
the gate) is another pleasant pedestrian-only area with cafes and small restaurants.
