During the Qing Dynasty, merchants entered Taiwan through Tainan at the Five Channels, the river port destination for all goods coming into Taiwan. The port areas were eventually paved over, but Shennong Street is what’s left from this era and serves as a reminder of what was the busy and bustling center of all import and export activity in Taiwan.
Today, it is home to a few restaurants and lots of cute shops stocking goods, many made by local craftspeople. It’s noteworthy for its colorful decor, with nearly all shopkeepers sporting traditional style lanterns to attract guests. Although the shopping is better when more stores are open during the day, you may want to schedule a visit in the evening to enjoy the lights!
