Sitting halfway between Tainan and Chiayi, the Sinying District is a fantastic base for exploring the vibrant cities and misty mountains of southern Taiwan. For most travellers, the Sinying District acts as the gateway to nearby Tainan. The city is brimming with culture, from its historic canal district to its string of museums.
Things to do in Xinying District
Head to Shennong Street to discover old-world Tainan. The trendy strip is the beating heart of Tainan’s canal district, where historic buildings house breezy cafes, independent galleries and fashion boutiques.
Sitting just north of the city is the three-storey National Museum of Taiwan History, home to creative exhibits and interactive displays that offer deep immersion in Taiwanese culture. If you want to know more about Tainan’s Chinese roots, stroll around the serene Confucius Temple.
Tainan serves up legendary street food that is easy to find in the Sinying District. From steaming bowls of oden soup and fresh danzai noodles to soft tofu pudding and colourful cones of shaved ice, you’ll never go hungry here.
To the north of the Sinying District is Chiayi City, considered the gateway to Taiwan’s rugged Alishan National Scenic Area. From here a narrow-gauge train grants access to the remote villages, lush valleys and towering cypress trees of the cloud-ringed Alishan Mountains.
Getting around Xinying District
Whether you’re heading south to Tainan City or north to Chiayi, the drive from the Sinying District takes around 30 minutes. Once you’ve arrived taxis are the easiest and fastest way to get from A to B. If you’re good with directions you can also navigate the local buses that run in the district.