An-Ping， located about 5 km to the West of Downtown Tainan， is the first Chinese settlement in Taiwan. After the Dutch established their administration center in Zeelandia in the seventeenth century， An Ping's history is strongly related to the development of Tainan.

The relationship between An-Ping and downtown Tainan City around in 1800.

An-Ping might appear the same as other traditional settlements in Taiwan if one looks at it superficially. However， if one experiences An-Ping thoughtfully， he will detect many special characteristics of the settlement such as small scale residential buildings and their wall-doors， evil-resisting symbolic decorations， human scale alleys and traditional temples.

Human scale alley

Evil-resisting symbolic decoration

Among different types of residential buildings， so-called Tan-Sen- Shou (One Wing Courtyard House) is most specific one. In addition to one wing which is the particular character of this type of house， small scale doors and windows are also noticeable. Among various evil-resisting decorations， sword-lion of different gesture and expressions are the unique one.

Tan-Sen- Shou (One Wing Courtyard House)

Since many of winding alleys in An-Ping are so narrow， it is difficult for modern vehicles to pass through. Consequently， exploring these alleys that snake between buildings off the main roads provides a real sense of past. In addition to its historical buildings and landmarks， An-Ping retains much of the traditional culture and lifestyle that has disappeared from larger cities in Taiwan. People are warm and friendly， the pace for life is slow， and the traditional Taiwanese customs are followed more closely.

Besides Zeelandia， the Small Artillery Fort， Miao-Shou Temple， Hai-Shan Kuan (the Hall for People from Hai-Shan) is another listed Grade III historical landmark. It was built around 1684 for the soldiers from Hai Shan area of Fukien. An-Ping used to have five halls of such function. However， only Hai-Shan Kuan is preserved. The built form and spatial organization of Hai-Shan Kuan are similar to that of a house and Matsu was worshipped inside. Today， it is re-used as an exhibition hall for crafts in An-Ping.

Small Artillery Fort

Miao-Shou Temple

Hai-Shan Kuan (the Hall for People from Hai-Shan)

Lately a sense of frustration has set in. Renewal of the historical district has become a much-touted concept among some local people and political leaders.Consequently， Yen-Ping Chi eh (the first street of Taiwan)， despite its great historical significance， was demolished. The same situation happened in many century-old temples and houses. How to improve the deteriorating environment while retaining the special characters is a challenge that An-Ping has to face.