A National Park Built on Waterways, Home to Tainan's Softest Soul

Tainan is known for its historical sites, delicious food, and bustling attractions, but there’s one place that always brings a sense of calm. Amidst the waterways and mangroves, you can reconnect with the land’s breath—this is Taijiang National Park. It was on an ordinary afternoon that I cycled here, only to be unexpectedly moved by the wetlands, leaving me speechless. This isn’t the kind of "Wow, so beautiful" instant scenery, but rather a gentle beauty that slowly seeps into your heart. 🌊 Taiwan’s Youngest National Park with the Oldest Cultural Roots Established in 2009, Taijiang National Park is Taiwan’s eighth national park, encompassing the lagoons, mangroves, old canals, and salt marshes of Annan District. Once the site of "Sicao Lake" and "Taijiang Inland Sea," it was a bustling port during the Qing Dynasty. Over time, sedimentation silenced its waters, transforming it into a treasure trove where nature and culture coexist. You can take a bamboo raft through the Sicao Green Tunnel, gliding along tranquil waterways flanked by dense mangroves and their reflections. As you listen to guides narrate the history of oyster farmers, salt workers, and river channels, you’ll spot fish leaping from the water, egrets perched on branches, and night herons in the distance. 🪷 A Meeting Point of Ecological Highlights and Cultural Memories 🌱 Taijiang boasts the richest variety of mangroves in Taiwan, including species like Avicennia marina, Kandelia obovata, and Lumnitzera racemosa. 🐦 Every winter, thousands of migratory birds flock here, with the black-faced spoonbill as its iconic treasure. You might also see mudskippers and fiddler crabs. 🧂 Once a hub for Taiwan’s salt industry, the Taijiang Cultural Center showcases the life of salt villages, oyster farming culture, and fishing village memories. 🚣♀️ The visitor center is thoughtfully designed, featuring exhibition halls, viewing platforms, nature trails, and family-friendly educational spaces. Getting here is easy—whether by bike, car, or public bus from Tainan City. If you’re willing to pause and take it slow, you’ll discover that this is not just a nature reserve but a living cultural map. 📍【Taijiang National Park Info Notes】 Location: No. 118, Sicao Avenue, Annan District, Tainan City (Taijiang Visitor Center) Opening Hours: 08:30–17:00 (Closed on Mondays) Recommended Activities: Sicao Green Tunnel bamboo raft (online reservation recommended), Taijiang Cultural Center visit, ecological trail hiking Suggested Duration: 2–3 hours (can be combined with visits to Sicao Dazhong Temple and Luermen Matsu Temple) Photo Highlights: Bamboo raft reflections, wetland wildlife observation areas, salt village cultural hall, sunset over the silver grass 💭 The intersection of nature and culture is the most healing place. Taijiang National Park has helped me rediscover the value of "slowness." You don’t need to climb mountains or cross rivers to feel the resilience and gentleness of Taiwan. In the waterways and mangroves, every drop of water, every bird, and every oyster farming relic carries the memory of this land. If you’re tired of the city’s pace, come to Taijiang and let nature guide you on a slow yet profound journey.