Things To Do
in Xinying

A small bowl of savory prawn-and-pork noodle soup popular across Tainan; look for local stalls that serve it fresh with minced pork and a prawn on top.

Must-Try!

Milkfish is a regional specialty — try it in soup, fried fillets or congee at local seafood restaurants and market stalls.

A deep-fried hollowed loaf filled with creamy seafood or chicken stew; a Tainan invention found at night markets and specialty shops.

Fresh oysters pan-cooked with batter and leafy greens, topped with a sweet-savory sauce at night markets.

The main night market in town offering classic Taiwanese street food: oyster omelette, coffin bread, stinky tofu, grilled skews and sweet treats; best for evening sampling.

A weekday market selling fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and prepared snacks — a good place to try local fruit and buy snacks for picnics.

When visiting temples, dress modestly, avoid loud behavior, and follow worshippers — don’t step into areas that appear off-limits. If taking photos, be discreet and avoid disturbing prayer rituals.

Politeness is valued: use a soft tone, say “謝謝” (thank you) and “不好意思” (excuse me) when moving through crowds. Remove shoes if invited into a private home.

Form orderly queues at counters and buses; avoid blocking walkways. Public displays of anger are frowned upon; handle disputes calmly.

Don’t touch offerings on altars and avoid pointing chopsticks upright into bowls (resembles incense sticks and is taboo).

Tipping is not customary for most everyday services in Taiwan; good service can be acknowledged with a small tip in higher-end restaurants or by rounding up taxi fares, but it’s not expected. Many eateries include service charges (rare outside hotels), and hotel porters may accept small tips.

Cash (New Taiwan Dollar) is widely used, especially at markets and small stalls. Credit cards are accepted at larger restaurants, hotels and chain stores. Mobile payments (LINE Pay, Apple/Google Pay) and EasyCard for public transport are common and convenient.

Mild temperatures and occasional rain; good time for cycling and outdoor exploration as humidity is lower than summer and many flowers and orchards are in bloom.

Hot, humid and sometimes stormy — afternoons can be very warm and typhoon season peaks between July and September. Plan indoor breaks, early starts and check typhoon forecasts.

Comfortable temperatures and lower humidity after typhoon season; pleasant for hiking, reservoir trips and outdoor photography; still watch for late-season storms.

Mild and cooler, sometimes damp but rarely freezing. Layers are useful; it's a quieter time for travel and good for temple visits and hot-spring trips nearby.

Baseball is widely loved across Taiwan; local communities follow professional leagues and youth baseball is common.

Basketball courts are common and pickup games are popular among teenagers and adults.

Recreational cycling is popular, both for sport and sightseeing on rural routes and dedicated cycle paths.

Indoor racket sports like badminton and table tennis are widely played at community centers.

Vegetarian options are common in Taiwan: look for vegetarian (素食) restaurants and Buddhist-style eateries. Many regular restaurants can prepare vegetable dishes on request; say “我是素食者” (I am vegetarian) and clarify “不吃肉、海鮮” (don’t eat meat or seafood).

Cross-contamination is possible (fish sauce, lard). Carry a card that explains allergies or dietary needs in Chinese and ask staff to avoid specific ingredients. Larger restaurants and cafes are more likely to accommodate than tiny market stalls.