Tainan

Tainan holds the distinction of being the oldest city in Taiwan, serving as the island's capital for over two centuries under the Koxinga and Qing dynasties. Originally established by the Dutch East India Company in the early 17th century as Fort Zeelandia, the area quickly became a bustling hub for trade and migration from mainland China. The architectural legacy remains visible today in the blend of Dutch fortifications, Qing-era government buildings, and Japanese-era infrastructure. Following the shift of the capital to Taipei in the late 19th century, Tainan evolved into a cultural sanctuary. It avoided the rapid, aggressive modernization that transformed northern Taiwan, allowing it to preserve its intricate temple culture, traditional crafts, and street-food lineage. Today, the city serves as a living museum where history is not just locked in galleries but experienced on every street corner.