The History Of Tainan

A Brief Of Tainan History
Dutch Colonization (1624-1662) When the Dutch occupied Tainan , they built Old Fort Zeelandia (Anping Fort) and opened up Provintia street ( Mincyuan Road ), it was the first well-planned street in European style and it became the center of Tainan City . The Dutch also built the Old

Fort Provintia ( Chihkan Tower )
The Ming/Jheng Cheng-gong(Koxinga) period (1662-1683) Jheng Cheng-gong(Koxinga) recovered Old Fort Provintia, and revamps it under the Eastern Imperial Court Tien-fu Administration; recovered Old Fort Zeelandia, and changed its name to Anping. Koxinga's firstborn son, Jheng Jing, succeeded after his death and appointed Chen Yunghwa as the advisor. Under his keen leadership and development, the first Confucius Temple in Taiwan was built, schools were launched, and a cultural pioneering movement was set in motion. He was also at the forefront of irrigation and agriculture administration, and took to an aboriginal assimilation policy, with a host of constructive administrative policies that helped direct Taiwan on course to becoming a sanctum for the Han people.

Cing Occupation (1683-1895) After defeating the troops of the Jhengs, the Cing Government changed Chengtian Prefecture into Taiwan Prefecture , built Sihcao and Anping Minor Artillery Forts in Tainan . British merchants established the Old Tait & Co. and Boyd & Co. Merchant Houses. Eternal Golden Castle was completed. Chihkan Tower was constructed in Cing style. Taiwan Prefecture was changed into Tainan Prefecture . When massive amounts of sand and clay washed into the Taijiang during typhoon seasons, the once beautiful views with glistening light reflected by the waves of Taijiang brook became alluvial soil. Numerous restoration works had been attempted but were in vain.

Japanese Colonization (1895-1945) Japanese troops conquered Tainan . After the Railway Station was completed, the foreign merchant houses withdrew from Anping. Construction of the district court was started. Tainan City Hall was established. Tainan was promoted into Tainan City . The new Tainan canal opened up. The reconstruction of Tainan Railway Station was completed. In addition to ideological control, the Japanese had made a lot of effort to change Tainan City . The ancient capital of Tainan finally had the making of a modern city.

1945 until now Tainan became a provincial city. It was divided into seven districts; they changed Japanese “ding” to “street”. The renovation of the Confucius Temple started, and the Confucius Temple Cultural Park Planning was under way. The essence of the culture accumulated during the last three hundred years and it has made Tainan an irreplaceable cultural capital. Taking its historical and cultural advantages, Tainan is on its way to regaining its historical prominence and glory.