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- #12. This đčđŒTaiwanese City Loves ItsđŠSnacks & Lives & Breathes Independenceâ
#12. This đčđŒTaiwanese City Loves ItsđŠSnacks & Lives & Breathes Independenceâ
As Taiwanâs oldest city and considered by many to be its birthplace, Tainan, whose name translates to âTaiwan southâ, boasts a tumultuous and storied history (and culture), one defined by independence, resilience, reinvention, and renewal - which has ultimately earned it the nickname of âThe Phoenix Cityâ.
Big Body
September 03, 2024
Due to its positioning on Taiwanâs southwestern coast, an ideal location for expanding the Far Eastern trade (especially sugar), Tainan was founded as a Dutch colony and trading port in 1624. While originally Taiwanâs capital (1624-1887) and administrative headquarters, it was anything but smooth sailing for the city over the years, which saw it handed off to (captured by) Chinese warlords/Ming loyalists (Koxinga), the Japanese, and Kuomintang (KMT).
Ultimately, the country saw governance shift north to Taipei in the late 1800s, before cessation to Japan in the First Sino-Japanese War. However, this wasnât without a fight by the Tainanâs aboriginal and ethnic Han Chinese populations. Upon return to Chinese Nationalists, Tainanese were treated with skepticism by KMT revolutionary and president Chiang Kai-shek (and camp), a driving factor behind the cityâs collective distancing from mainland China.
Today, the city boasts nearly 2 million residents and sees over 300,000 tourists yearly. It is renowned for its profusion of Taoist and Buddhist temples, rich snack and street food culture, and pro-independence ethos, making it an authentically Taiwanese experience that is perfect for those seeking a deep dive into Taiwanâs past and present and welcome contrast to the (increasingly) international Taipei.
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