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After Bangkok, Bali’s resounding success in the digital nomad scene, Asia has a new workcation hotspot that looks set to steal the limelight in 2025, boasting an equally fascinating culture and, most importantly, affordable living.
But what does Tainan have to offer that other destinations in the continent don’t, and could it overtake all-time Asian favorites?
Tainan Is The Oldest City In Taiwan
Dutch settlers founded Tainan as part of their conquest of Asia before being seized by native forces, and though it’s no longer Taiwan’s capital, a mantle Taipei has taken up, it remains the island’s cultural center, with a rich history spanning over 400 years.
Similarly to other major cities in Asia, its cityscape combines tradition and modern-day vibrancy, with centuries-old pagodas sitting alongside European-style structures and gravity-defying high-rises, not to mention green zones galore.
It’s no small town, that’s for sure, with a population of over 1.8 million, but it feels comparatively more laid-back than Taipei, an agglomeration home to around 2.4 million people, and mega-conurbations in the wider continent, such as Bangkok, Jakarta, or Tokyo.
Stunning Architecture Just About Everywhere You Look
If you love culture, then you’ve come to the right place:
As it’s hosted many an empire over the centuries, Tainan has a diverse breadth of architecture within its municipal limits and an unmatched legacy of landmarks.
Located in the quaint district of Anping, Anping Fort contains the last surviving remnants of the city’s Dutch fortifications, while the Eternal Golden Castle is a late 19th-century effort on the Qing dynasty’s part to defend Tainan against Japanese incursions.
Other noteworthy sites include the Chihkan Tower, an 18th-century Chinese fortification, the Tainan Confucian Temple, completed as early as 1665, and the Grand Matsu, dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess and one of Taiwan’s most ornate.
Nature Preserves All-Around
We’re all too aware the big city life can weigh down on you at some point, and albeit relatively calm and slower-paced for a metropolis, Tainan is no different––lucky for visiting nomads, there is plenty of natural beauty in the vicinity to keep them grounded and inspired.
The city itself is filled with lush parks, made for escaping the hustle and bustle from time to time, and further away, in the hills surrounding the urban sprawl, there are tourist-friendly footpaths traversing dense forests, and leading to serene lakes and jaw-dropping viewpoints.
In fact, a must-see attraction in Tainan is Taijiang National Park, occupying the westernmost tip of Taiwan, and running for an uninterrupted 16 miles of tropical preserve and golden-sand beaches––the East China Sea completely surrounds Taiwan, remember?
How Much Does It Cost Per Month To Live In Tainan?
Got the munchies late at night?
Tainan has got you covered with its many night markets, packed full of stalls serving delicious street food, from danzai noodles to oyster omelettes, and the best part is, you can satisfy your cravings for as cheap as $5.45.
Other than inexpensive food, this is a very walkable city, so unless you’re commuting from and to the suburbs and you don’t care for luxury housing, you won’t be spending significant amounts of money while based in Tainan.
Based on Nomads.com estimates, you need to earn $1,627 a month or over to set up base here, and rental prices are particularly low: an entire apartment in the well-equipped East District, famous for its restaurants and nightlife, will set you back by $463 monthly.
No wonder Taiwan featured among Airbnb’s trendiest destinations last year.
Americans Can Get A DNV For Taiwan
Early this year, Taiwan officially announced the rollout of a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), aimed at attracting a growing number of digital nomads, especially Westerners, to work and live on the island without the usual restrictions.
You become instantly eligible by providing proof you have applied for and have been approved for a DNV in another country, and/or if you demonstrate earnings of at least US$20,000 a year if you are aged between 20 and 29 years and at least US$40,000 if aged 30 years or older.
Providing combined bank statements of at least US$10,000 for the six-month period preceding the application is also required, as well as taking out health insurance covering everything from minor health expenses to hospitalization for the entire stay.
You must also be a citizen of a visa-exempt country, which the United States and most European countries are, and you must either provide a copy of your contract stating you’re in a paid, remote job position or you’re an entrepreneur.
As it pertains to Tainan, it is one of four ‘distinctive areas of interest’ in Taiwan that will be further developed to accommodate digital nomads, as revealed here.
In other words, you should expect one-stop services for nomads in loco, English-speaking customer service, and even the construction of nomad villages for community-driven expats.
Taiwanese authorities hope that, with the new initiatives, over 100,000 digital nomads will choose Taiwan, and maybe Tainan specifically, as their next destination.
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