Great South Gate
A historical city gate and its preserved walls, showcasing Tainan's unique 'urn city' defense strategy.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful exploration
Great South Gate
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful exploration
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historical city gate and its preserved walls, showcasing Tainan's unique 'urn city' defense strategy.
"A cool site where you can freely access the city gate and its wall, offering a glimpse into history."
🚶♀️ Stroll the Walls
Freely access the gate and its walls for a walk through history. Great for photos!
🕰️ Appreciate the Age
Take a moment to feel the history. It's a cool site to see how old it is.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Great South Gate
A majestic historical city gate, a testament to Tainan's defensive architecture and enduring legacy.
Preserved City Walls
Explore the remnants of Tainan's ancient fortifications, offering a tangible connection to the city's past.
Urn City Design
Marvel at the unique double-layer defense system, designed to trap invaders in a 'turtle in an urn' strategy.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Historical Significance
Accessibility & Preservation
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Stroll the Walls
Freely access the gate and its walls for a walk through history. Great for photos!
🕰️ Appreciate the Age
Take a moment to feel the history. It's a cool site to see how old it is.
📸 Capture the Architecture
The gate and its unique urn city design make for striking photographs.
🚻 Public Restrooms Available
Useful facilities are on-site, a practical plus for visitors.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Stroll the Walls
Freely access the gate and its walls for a walk through history. Great for photos!
🕰️ Appreciate the Age
Take a moment to feel the history. It's a cool site to see how old it is.
📸 Capture the Architecture
The gate and its unique urn city design make for striking photographs.
🚻 Public Restrooms Available
Useful facilities are on-site, a practical plus for visitors.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors generally find the Great South Gate to be a historically significant and architecturally interesting site, offering a free and accessible glimpse into Tainan's past defenses. While some find it a bit shallow, others appreciate its well-preserved walls and unique 'urn city' design as a cool historical landmark.
"“In the first year of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty (1723 AD), the county magistrate of Taiwan founded Muzha City, which was the beginning of the city building in Taiwan.
There were seven gates in the city wall, and the Great South Gate was one of them. It was located in front of the Fuxue Confucian Temple . In the thirteenth year of Yongzheng (AD 1735), Hao Yulin, the governor of Fujian, planted thorny bamboos around Muzha City to increase its defense.
In the first year of Qianlong (AD 1736), granite seats and towers were added to each gate , presenting a majestic appearance. In the fifty-third year of Qianlong (1788 AD), after the Lin Shuangwen Rebellion subsided, the Qing court rebuilt Muzha City into an earthen city, and raised the city gate to increase its defensiveness. “
After the Zhang Bing Rebellion in the fifteenth year of Daoguang (AD 1835), the Moon City was added outside the city gate, presenting the appearance of the Porcelain City as seen today. After Japan occupied Taiwan every day, the city walls of Fucheng were demolished one after another to open roads, set up schools, and build commercial halls. Later, when the urban area was corrected, the damage to the city wall became more and more serious; coupled with the long period of disrepair, the Great Nanmen Yuecheng collapsed and the gate tower was dilapidated, and it was renovated one by one. After the recovery of Taiwan, the city gate was occupied by illegal households. In the 51st year of the Republic of China, the city gate was severely damaged due to the typhoon, and it was rebuilt with reinforced concrete to imitate the old appearance until the 67th year. At present, the Great South Gate is the only city gate in Taiwan that has a complete urn. It consists of a rectangular inner city and a semicircular outer city (also known as the half-moon city), forming a double-layer defensive function! When going to war, invite the enemy to enter, catch turtles in the urn, and annihilate them; it is of great historical significance”
A great place to see history of Tainan city , along with well preserved walls and architecture."
Dom Wong
"Such a cool site where you can freely access the city gate and it's wall."
Lu Bi Huang
"A good place for strolling around or pass briefly when you are around. You will be able to see how old it is. Nearby is an old radio building, also a good choice for your visit."
Lorraine Frederica
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Great South Gate is centrally located in Tainan. You can reach it by local bus or taxi. Many visitors find it convenient to combine a visit with other nearby historical sites.
Parking can be challenging in the city center. It's recommended to use public transportation or look for designated parking lots a short walk away.
If you are staying in the Tainan city center, walking to the Great South Gate is a pleasant option, allowing you to soak in the urban atmosphere.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the Great South Gate and its surrounding walls are generally free to access and explore.
The gate is typically accessible during daylight hours. There are no strict opening or closing times posted for the exterior grounds.
There is no entrance fee to visit the Great South Gate itself. You can freely walk around and admire the architecture.
While you can walk around the gate and its base, access to interior structures might be limited or restricted for preservation purposes.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can see the well-preserved gate structure, the historical city walls, and the unique 'urn city' defensive design. It's a great spot to learn about Tainan's history. +1
Absolutely! The historical architecture and the unique urn city design offer excellent photographic opportunities, especially during golden hour.
A brief visit can take around 30 minutes to an hour to walk around and take photos. If you want to explore the surrounding area, allocate more time.
Official guided tours might not be readily available for the gate itself, but local historical walking tours often include this site.
The 'urn city' refers to the semicircular outer wall designed to trap enemies, a clever defensive strategy from historical Tainan. [^Review]
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the Great South Gate is located in a central area of Tainan with many dining options, from local street food to sit-down restaurants.
You'll find a variety of Tainan specialties, including danzai noodles, coffin bread, and oyster omelets, in the vicinity.
📸 📸 Photography
The front of the gate, the preserved city walls, and the unique urn city design offer great perspectives. Late afternoon light is ideal.
Drone usage is generally restricted in urban areas and historical sites. It's best to check local regulations before flying a drone.
No specific restrictions are usually in place for general photography, but avoid intrusive behavior and respect other visitors.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Tips for families:
* Keep it interactive: Encourage kids to spot details in the architecture or imagine life in historical Tainan.
* Combine with other sites: Tainan has many family-friendly historical spots, making it easy to create a day of exploration.
* Snacks and water: While there are public toilets, bring your own refreshments for a more comfortable outing.
🏛️ History Buffs
Key points for history buffs:
* Focus on the 'urn city': Understand its strategic importance and unique design.
* Research the different eras: Learn about the gate's transformation through the Qing Dynasty and Japanese occupation.
* Explore the surrounding walls: Gain a broader perspective on Tainan's historical fortifications.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Historical Defense of Tainan
The resilience of the Great South Gate is evident in its continuous reconstruction and adaptation. After periods of damage due to typhoons and neglect, it was rebuilt with reinforced concrete in the Republic of China era, preserving its historical appearance. Today, it stands as the only city gate in Taiwan with a complete urn city, offering a tangible link to the city's strategic past and architectural evolution. [^Review]
Visiting the Great South Gate provides a unique opportunity to understand the historical context of Tainan's urban development and its defensive strategies. It’s a site that speaks volumes about the city's enduring spirit and its ability to adapt through centuries of change.
Architectural Significance and Preservation
The gate's construction and subsequent renovations highlight the materials and techniques used throughout different historical periods. From its initial granite elements to later earthen and reinforced concrete reconstructions, the structure tells a story of evolving building practices. The fact that it remains the only complete urn city in Taiwan underscores its architectural importance and the success of preservation efforts. [^Review]
While the gate itself is a focal point, the surrounding preserved city walls offer further insight into the scale of Tainan's historical fortifications. Visitors can freely explore these remnants, gaining a deeper appreciation for the city's past urban layout and defensive capabilities.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit