This temple, along with the Confucius Temple, is known as one of the oldest and best-preserved temples in Taiwan. When it was originally built is not known, but according to legend it was during the Ming dynasty's Yungli reign, in the mid-17th century. During the Ching dynasty, this is where government officials offered sacrifices to the god.

The God of War (Kuan Ti or Kuan Kung) worshiped here holds a heavy sword and rides a swift horse. His mortal origin was as a general of the late Han dynasty (early 3rd century) who, because of his behavior, became a symbol of uprightness and loyalty to later generations and was finally deified. He is said to have been good at managing finances and to have invented a method of accounting, and so is also worshipped (by businessmen, especially) as the God of Commerce.

The Ta Tien Hou (Great Queen of Heaven) Temple was built in 1684 for the worship of Taiwan's most popular deity; Matsu, Goddess of the Sea. Matsu is the patron deity of fishermen, and her birthday on the 23rd day of the third lunar month (either April or May) is celebrated each year with frenetic explosions of colorful activity. The goddess is usually flanked by two guardians, Eyes that See a Thousand Miles and Ears that Hear on the Wind; these are said to have once been malevolent spirits who were reformed by Matsu's example and now use their powers to help her do good works.

A secondary diet in this temple is the Old Man under the Moon, a sort of matchmaker god worshipped especially by unmarried men and women. They believe that all that need to be done is pray to the god for a red "matrimonial thread" or apply their rouge before him and they will quickly find a mate.

Commonly referred to as Lord of Heaven (Tien Kung) Temple , the Altar of Heaven (Tien Tan) is dedicated to the supreme Taoist deity, the Jade Emperor.  The Chinese people believe deeply in fatalism; so when they encounter troubles in their lives, they might go to the Altar of Heaven to ask the Jade Emperor for a change of destiny.  This is accomplished by transferring one's ill fortune to a straw doll and substituting good fortune for it.  The local people go to the temple on the first and 15th days of each lunar month to worship the god and pray for the well-being of their families, and solemn birthday celebrations are held for the Jade Emperor on the ninth day of the first lunar month.

Established in 1665 as the first site for Confucian studies on the island, this temple is known as the "First School in Taiwan." This large and tranquil temple encompasses a total of 15 structures and was designed with the school situated to the left and the temple to the right. Impressive ceremonies to commemorate the birthday of Confucius are held in the courtyard in the front of Tacheng Hall on Sept. 28 every year.

The Great South Gate is one of the few remaining of the original 14 gates of the Tainan city wall. Built in 1736, it has an outer arched fate in the shape of a half moon; named (naturally) Moon Gate, it is set at an angle to the inner gate because of security considerations.

Located near the Great South Gate is the Forest of Tablets, a collection of ancient stone tablets that were gathered from various places at the time of an urban reconstruction project during the Japanese occupation.. These 61 different tablets, all of different sizes and ages, are of substantial historical value.

This temple is dedicated to a Lady Linshui, Chen Ching-ku.  Since there are so many people who need the help of the goddess, she is accompanied by 36 assistants who are positioned in a side chamber.  These are all the patron saints of women, who come in large numbers to pray for sons or good health.  For women and children alike, the goddess is a source of spiritual comfort.

This temple is dedicated to Chi Niang-ma, the Seven Maids, who are viewed as protectors of children; it is to this temple, therefore, that the young folk of Tainan come for their coming-of-age ceremony at the age of 16. This ceremony is still practiced, but not nearly as religiously as it was in the old days when employers used 16 as the dividing age to determine whether employees were paid as children or as adults.

The history of Taiwan's development began at the Anping district of Tainan. This is where the Dutch built their stronghold in the 1620's, naming it Fort Zeelandia. Most of the old fort is gone now; the only bit left of the original is a piece of red-brick wall, elegant banyan roots growing down its sides. Visitors here like to climb to the top of the observation tower (of recent vintage) to view the sunset and watch the fishing boats that dot the vast surface of the Taiwan Straits. In the old days, this was known as one of the "Eight Great Scenes of Taiwan."

This fortress was built on the shore to help consolidate Tainan's sea defenses. Constructed in the late 19th century near the end of the Ching dynasty, this square structure with high walls and a moat was the first Western-style fortress on the island. The Armstrong cannon that provide the fortress's "firepower" today are replicas, manufactured in 1975, of the English originals.

This narrow and winding street, the oldest one on Tainan - therefore in all Taiwan -- and commonly known as "Taiwan Street" is rebuilt now. Nearby is a historic building named Haishan Hall, an interesting structure with an even more interesting collection of implements and charms designed to expel evil. The building today has been transformed into the Anping Local Culture Hall and is open to visitors free of charge.