Tainan City, nestled between mountains and sea in southwestern Taiwan, boasts a diverse landscape with high eastern terrain and flat western plains. It sits at the heart of Taiwan's largest plain, the Chianan Plain, bordering the foothills of the Central Mountain Range to the east. This region holds the distinction of being Taiwan's earliest developed area.
Located entirely south of the Tropic of Cancer, Tainan enjoys a subtropical climate with mild temperatures and abundant agricultural produce. It leads Taiwan in areas dedicated to paddy fields, dry fields, fish ponds, salt pans, lotus fields, and water chestnut fields. Every summer, the Baihe District transforms into a sea of elegant lotus flowers, their ethereal beauty drawing numerous visitors. Nearby, the famous Guanziling offers the unique spectacle of fire and water emerging from the same source, along with relaxing hot springs. The coastal Cigu Salt Pan Wetlands serve as a gathering place for water birds, including the endangered black-faced spoonbills that winter there annually. The city is also home to the thrilling annual Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival during the Lantern Festival, which attracts crowds with its spectacular and exhilarating display. Straddling Chiayi County and Tainan City, the Zengwen Reservoir not only serves as a water source but also offers breathtaking scenery that keeps visitors coming back. Tainan's beauty lies in its expansive rural landscapes and the warmth and simplicity of its people.
Each township in Tainan City is known for a wide array of agricultural specialties. These include mangoes, papayas, pineapples, sugar apples, longans, Taiwanese tilapia, and milkfish, among others. These renowned products are celebrated for their superior quality and innovative production techniques, earning Tainan's produce widespread acclaim on the global stage.
Tainan's agricultural sector is characterized by its diversity, variety, high yield, excellent quality, and unique products. Among these, orchids stand out as the most impressive in terms of both value and production volume. Currently, Tainan City accounts for 39.5% (about 85.57 hectares) of Taiwan's total Phalaenopsis orchid production area, rightfully earning it the title "Home of the Phalaenopsis Orchid." The Taiwan Orchid Technology Park in Houbi District is the country's only orchid biotechnology park. With the completion of its first four phases, it now boasts a production capacity of 57.4 million square feet. Once fully developed, the park is expected to significantly boost orchid production, solidifying its position as one of the world's most crucial Phalaenopsis orchid production regions.