TainanPlay Recommendations

Chihkan Plaza, located in Tainan's West Central District, was transformed in 2020 from the former China Town mall into a waterfront park built around the concept of an urban lagoon. The design is predominantly white, featuring a sunken open-air water landscape, shaded rest areas, showers, and washroom facilities. The water is filtered through a triple-purification system and meets drinking-grade standards, making it safe for children to splash around. Parts of the original China Town structure have been preserved, along with frangipani islands that serve as popular photo spots. Open to the public free of charge, the plaza attracts families by day and couples seeking a romantic night scene by evening. Paid parking lots are nearby, and the plaza is also accessible by bus.

Wushantou Reservoir sits on the border of Guantian and Liujia Districts in Tainan and is a vital irrigation reservoir for the Jianan Plain. The scenic area blends natural beauty, Japanese-era heritage buildings, and family-friendly leisure facilities. Visitors can explore the expansive lake and surrounding trails, the Yoichi Hatta Memorial Park, former Japanese dormitories, and cherry blossom paths. Spring brings tropical cherry blossoms, while summer offers a water park with water slides, solar-powered boat rides, and other aquatic activities. Camping, barbecue areas, and a suspension bridge round out the outdoor experience, making it an ideal destination for the whole family.

Zhuxi Waterfront Park, located in Tainan's South District next to the Tainan Municipal Sports Park and Zhuxi Temple, is a free family park that opened in 2020. The park features a half-moon-shaped Yuesee Bridge, a nostalgic suspension bridge, and wide waterfront walkways perfect for strolling and photography. The children's playground is equipped with Danish KOMPAN play structures, colorful rubber safety mats, a 360-degree hill slide, and a shaded sandbox, combining safety with fun for young visitors. Open 24 hours a day year-round with free admission, the park is easily accessible by car or public transit and has become one of the most popular no-ticket-needed family destinations in downtown Tainan.

Shuangchun Coastal Recreation Area in Tainan's Beimen District is a family destination that combines wetland ecology with coastal leisure. A roughly 1,200-meter boardwalk winds through a mangrove forest where visitors can observe four native mangrove species — Avicennia marina, Kandelia obovata, Lumnitzera racemosa, and Rhizophora stylosa — along with fiddler crabs, mudskippers, and other wildlife. Visitors can take a raft through mangrove-lined waterways for a unique perspective from the water, while the beach offers ocean swings and wading pools perfect for family fun. The area also provides camping, barbecue facilities, bicycle rentals, and water sports including SUP and sailing, with guided eco-tours that teach conservation in an engaging way. At dusk, breathtaking sunsets can be viewed from the boardwalk or beach, making this northernmost stretch of Tainan's coastline a rewarding full-day getaway.

Leisureland, located in Tainan's Xuejia District, is southern Taiwan's largest animal theme park, spanning approximately 20 hectares and home to over 300 animal species from around the world. The park combines animal viewing, hands-on feeding experiences, live shows, amusement rides, and a water park, offering entertainment for visitors of all ages. Guests can ride the capybara train around the park, see chameleons, giraffes, penguins, and other featured animals, or cool off at the water park during summer months. Adult tickets are approximately NT$499, with free admission for children under three, making it a popular choice for family outings.

Leisureland Wildlife Park in Tainan's Xuejia District covers approximately 20 hectares and ranks as southern Taiwan's largest wildlife park. The park seamlessly integrates animal observation, feeding interactions, amusement rides, and a water park into a multi-faceted family experience. Visitors can observe over 300 wildlife species up close, participate in parrot shows, and interact with chameleons, giraffes, and penguins. The capybara train offers a fun way to tour the grounds, while the Oasis Water Park opens during summer for cooling off. With playgrounds, carousels, and other attractions, the park caters to preschool and school-age children for an entire day of fun, making it an ideal destination for family trips.