Back to the Old Tainan

A space mixing old and new

Back to the Old Tainan Guesthouse introduces you the lifestyle, accommodation, and delicacies of Tainan, for you to enjoy not only laid-back holidays but also a deeper exploration of Tainan. The lobby on the ground floor often holds cultural introductory and handicraft classes in collaboration with Sunshine & Cheerful Studio, while the café and bar on the side also sporadically holds events like Tainan traditional delicacies and wine tasting or various cuisine provided in limited periods. Unlike the common old houses with tiny spaces, the host Andy combines two old buildings, 100-year-old and 50-year-old respectively, by removing the wall in between, breathing the vigorous new soul into the old houses and retaining the spacious and cozy space like the residence of the past prestigious family at the same time.

Push open the heavy wooden door, a whiff of fresh smell permeates the air. A large policeman figure greets you with a big grin, while a Japanese show introducing Tainan’s delicacies plays on the TV on the wall. Brochures of the classes that the guesthouse collaborates with Sunshine & Cheerful Studio are laid out on the large long table, as the display shelves made of long benches exhibit sundry retro objects like vintage toys and faded black-and-white photographs. One of the walls is covered with retro signages, revealing Andy’s partner, Doctor Chen’s taste for antiques with childlike playfulness.

Take off your shoes and change into flip-flops, relieving the fatigue from the trip. Open the door behind the door and enter the atrium in the rear of the lobby, warm sunlight sifted through green leaves is dancing on the mottled iron window grilles. The bygone era is frozen in the corridor of time, with a touch of the tranquil wonderfulness, rendering a pleasant afternoon.

Stay one night in the tranquil bygone times

Going upstairs, in the narrow hallway with dim yellow light, every step is like walking back to childhood, as every trace of time bloom in the memory. The two combined old building of the guesthouse are transformed in the design of one room on each floor, for you to enjoy the entire floor of laid-back private time.

On the fourth floor, in “Roof Seclusion – Festival．Old Shop” two-person room, you may pick up a favorite book of poetry, step lightly onto the small attic, turn on the lamp, and enjoy the quiet reading moment. Or come to the screening booth below the attic, just like the kind of date you would have in the private viewing room of MTV center when you were young, and watch a movie with your sweetheart. The spacious “Roof Seclusion – Old House” room on the third floor is suitable for a family or a group of friends. Exchanging laughter and conversation with your bare feet, all turning into the accompaniment to good times. The refreshment counter on the second floor has transparent jars loaded with traditional Tianan desserts selected by the host. Slowly make a pot of fragrant tea, lay the chubby Tainan brown sugar bun cakes on the wooden plate, and return to “A Floor of Freedom – Market．Delicacy” room to savor the simple flavor of childhood memories. As the hustle and bustle outside the window fade away, surrounded by the pleasant chat and laughter, happiness can be as simple as a whiff of tea aroma over a bite of sweetness, calling to mind the sweet aftertaste of the memory.

In another adjunct century-old street house, you can enjoy the entire sun-drenched atrium. Carefully step on the wooden spiral staircase to the second floor, the whole floor is exclusive to you, including a two-person sleeping quarter, Japanese style tea-savoring space, and a bathroom outside the room. Gently turning the doorknob of “Atrium Seclusion – Tea．Coffee,” the old red-brick wall standing through three dynasties and vintage signages take you back to the memory of bygone days. At the end of the room stands a crimson double-leaf door with four Chinese characters “Di Ling Ren Jie“ on it, which means “a remarkable place produces outstanding people.“ Pull off the wooden bar and open the old wooden doors to the balcony, facing the warm evening breeze of southern Taiwan, you overlook the daily scenery of the streets of Tainan.

Evoke the memory of taste buds in the early market

As the busy streets of the morning have begun the day, you quickly freshen up and go downstairs with sleepy eyes. At 7 o’clock, Yuling from Sunshine & Cheerful Studio is waiting for you and sends the morning greeting. After the introduction with vivid powerpoint slides, under the guidance of Yuling, you head for the tour of Shuixian Temple Market with high spirits!

“Gonghou Street is one of the streets in Tainan that keeps its old name.” Following the light tripping steps of Yuling and the on-site staff Olive, you walk through the market with vendors’ yelling and haggling all over the place. The smells of fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, and traditional snacks emanate in the air, evoking the memories of your taste buds. Returning the guesthouse with loads of ingredients for breakfast, your belly is grumbling from hunger and craving for the meal! Just in a short while, one dish after another cooked by Andy turns into a table full of culinary delights: stir-fried broccoli with garlic, red wine beef stew with red wine vinegar, rich-flavored scrambled eggs in the American style, and refreshing salad with homemade vinaigrette. Among others, the authentic milkfish soup is specially prepared for travelers; with a sip, the special sweet flavor of Tainan spreads in your mouth. The feast for your eyes and taste buds just starts a wonderful day.

Strolling under the sunny sky of Tainan and passing by houses with imprints of life, the joy of carefree childhood seems to call to your mind in the traces of time. You remember that being content could be quite simple, just like leisurely walking in flip-flops, laughing and chatting over some shots, and bathing in the sunlight. As long as you remember to take a break from the busy life, live in the moment, and regain the simple happiness.