Standing at Anping Fort, Feel the Wind of 400 Years

If you ask me, "Where should I start to explore Taiwan's history?" I would tell you: Take a trip to Tainan's Anping Fort and let your steps walk into the depths of time. Standing on the red brick steps of Anping Fort, the wind carries not only the salty scent of the sea but also the echoes of footsteps, shouts, and silence that have passed through this land for centuries. Every brick, every wall, and every banyan tree quietly records the starting point where Taiwan connected with the world. 🏛️ A Little Story About Anping Fort This red-brick fortress was originally known as "Fort Zeelandia," built by the Dutch in 1624 as a base for governing southern Taiwan and a stronghold for trade. Over the years, it witnessed the transitions of power through the Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty, Japanese colonization, and the Nationalist government. Although the original structure is not fully preserved, the current watchtower, walls, and cannon relics still evoke the scenes of maritime competition and military presence from the past. 📷 Not Just a Historical Site, But One of Tainan's Most Photogenic Landmarks The combination of red brick walls and intertwined banyan roots makes for stunning photos! Here are some recommended spots: 📸 Capture the view from the watchtower steps, featuring red brick walls, the distant sea horizon, and cloud shadows in the sky—perfectly atmospheric. 📸 Stand by the walls, where sunlight casts shadows that evoke a sense of time. 📸 The "stone cannon emplacement" on the ground is also a great spot, showcasing historical and military vibes. 📸 Under the large banyan trees surrounding the fort, the dappled light creates the perfect nostalgic portrait setting. If you're a history enthusiast, old architecture lover, or photography aficionado, this place will make you reluctant to leave. 📍【Anping Fort Information Notes】 Location: No. 82, Guosheng Road, Anping District, Tainan City Admission: Full ticket NT$50, Half ticket NT$25 (Free for Tainan residents) Opening Hours: 08:30–17:30 (Open daily) Transportation Tips: Take a bus or ride YouBike from Tainan Train Station; parking is convenient nearby. Recommended Duration: About 1 hour Nearby Attractions: Anping Old Street, Anping Tree House, Deji Foreign Mansion, Sio House 💭 Visiting here is not just about "seeing," but "feeling." You can choose to sit by the walls and daydream, or carefully read the historical introductions. You can listen to tourists chatting, or hear the reverence for time deep within your heart. This is not just a fortress; it is a container of memories, holding stories that belong to Taiwan and the world. Walking through here, you'll realize that history is not just something in books but something you experience in every brick, every corner, and every whisper of the wind. The maritime power struggles of 400 years ago now stand quietly before us. Anping Fort is like an old photograph in your journey, needing no filter to leave a lasting impression.