6 Best Shopping in Tainan

The Central Shopping District spans a small area close to the train station and is packed with stores and malls. Based around Weiman Street and Section 2 of Minzu Road, it contains large complexes like the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Tainan Zhongshan Store as well as countless small shops. There are plenty of electronics stores, fashion outlets, sports shops and even a large amount of niche interest establishments.

You will also find an open food market known as the South Park in this area. Live musical performances are often held here at the weekends. Alternatively, if you want a proper restaurant, you’ll find plenty of choice along Minzu Road.

If you’re looking for a really local shopping experience in Tainan, you’ll find it on Guohua Street. It’s quite a narrow lane, and isn’t pedestrianised, so expect to be dodging trucks and motorbikes as you go between shops. However, it’s worth it for the savings as the prices are generally much better than you’ll find in any of the big department stores.

Being very much a local place, language might be a barrier if you can’t read or speak Chinese. Be ready to communicate mostly by gesturing. However, by doing so, you’ll get great deals on street snacks, souvenirs and clothes, among other things.

Even if you don’t want to buy any plants, the Nanmen Weekend Flower Market is well worth a visit. Aside from the concentration of fresh air and floral aromas it provides, the colourful orchids, interesting bonsai trees and plentiful supply of other plants and flowers can give you some inspiration for your own garden at home. There are also some stalls selling stuff that has nothing to do with gardening, so you might find some interesting souvenirs there, too. It’s a popular place with locals and visitors alike.

Shinkong Mitsukoshi is the biggest department store in the city. It has 9 spacious floors containing cosmetics and fashion accessories, clothes, international boutiques, children’s wear, casual wear, and home décor. Up on 5th floor, you'll find a cineplex, but be wary of going to the bathrooms here as they're said to be haunted!

The mall also has a fabulous food emporium. However, the prices of clothes and food are all quite high here, especially when compared to the markets and shopping areas around Tainan.

If you want to shop for clothes in Tainan then head to Zhongzheng Road. The shops here get busy and crowded, especially at night. Expect mostly mid-ranged brands and goods, with stores like Hang Ten and Easy Shop being very popular. Many of the stores in this area are independent, which is great if you're looking for something a bit different. As a bonus, Zhongzheng Road is famous for its jewellery outlets.

The street was one of the first built by the Japanese when they occupied the island in 1895, so many of the buildings have an interesting historical look to them.