China Lite
Changing Taiwan Communities: Tainan
Updated: 2011-04-20 16:11
By D J Clark&Huan CAO (chinadaily.com.cn)
Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan, but since the early part of the 20th century, the city has not changed much and has become more of a historic tourist destination than a cosmopolitan hub.
Anping district is the historical heart of Tainan.
It is home to the magical Anping tree house, which has a history of more than 100 years. The tree house used to be a warehouse for Taiwan salt crop, but over time it formed an unusual shape, with trees winding around the house. It’s a miracle.
There are many old buildings in Anping, which reminds you of an older Taiwan. Many houses are empty now; but with the help of government funding, house owners have the choice of turning their homes into restaurants, shops or guesthouses.
From an urban planning angle, Tainan lags behind other cities like Taipei or Kaohsiung, but its unique cultural assets stand out, and we are trying to preserve this city so it will not fade to dust.
Voiceover: Huang Lan
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