Things to Do in Tainan in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Tainan
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect temple-exploring weather - mornings start cool at 61°F (16°C), warming to comfortable 75°F (24°C) by afternoon. You can actually walk the historic Anping district without melting, unlike the brutal summer months when temperatures push past 95°F (35°C).
- December sits right in Tainan's dry season with only 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain spread across 10 days - mostly brief afternoon sprinkles that clear within 20-30 minutes. Your outdoor plans will actually happen, which isn't something you can say about typhoon-prone summer.
- Mango season overlap means you catch the tail end of local fruit markets selling Tainan's famous Yujing mangoes alongside winter citrus. Night markets serve both hot winter comfort foods like ginger duck and cold mango shaved ice - a uniquely December combination.
- December is shoulder season for domestic tourism (most Taiwanese travel during Lunar New Year in late January or February), so you'll find better accommodation rates and shorter lines at popular spots like Chimei Museum, though weekends still get busy with local day-trippers from Kaohsiung.
Considerations
- Temperature swings of 14°F (8°C) between morning and afternoon mean you're constantly adjusting layers - that light jacket you need at 8am becomes dead weight by noon. Locals call this 'onion dressing' season for a reason.
- The 70% humidity doesn't care that it's technically winter - your clothes still feel slightly damp, cotton takes forever to dry, and that comfortable 75°F (24°C) feels warmer than the number suggests. If you're coming from dry winter climates, the moisture in the air takes adjustment.
- December sits in that awkward weather zone where indoor spaces blast air conditioning (designed for summer) while outdoor temperatures drop to 61°F (16°C) at night. You'll be cold inside restaurants and warm outside, which gets old quickly.
Best Activities in December
Anping Old Fort and Harbor District Walking Routes
December mornings are actually pleasant for the 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 mile) walk through Anping's historic streets - something that's genuinely miserable in summer heat. Start at 8am when temperatures sit around 63°F (17°C), explore the Dutch-era fort, wander through the narrow lanes of Anping Old Street, and finish before the midday sun pushes things into the mid-70s°F (24°C). The lower UV index in December (still 8, so wear sunscreen) means you're not getting scorched like you would May through September.
Traditional Temple Circuit by Bicycle
Tainan has over 200 temples packed into a relatively small area - cycling between them makes sense, and December weather is ideal for it. The 10-15 km (6.2-9.3 mile) loop hitting Confucius Temple, Koxinga Shrine, and Grand Matsu Temple takes 3-4 hours with stops. Morning temperatures in the low 60s°F (16-17°C) mean you're not arriving at each temple drenched in sweat, which matters when you're trying to appreciate 300-year-old architecture. Rain chances are low enough (only 10 days of light rain all month) that you can plan this without much weather anxiety.
Night Market Food Tours
December evenings cool to the mid-60s°F (18-19°C), which is perfect night market weather - warm enough to enjoy outdoor eating but cool enough that the crowds feel energizing rather than suffocating. Tainan's night markets (Dadon, Wusheng, Garden Night Market on different weekday rotations) serve winter specialties in December: ginger duck hot pot, oyster omelets, and thick peanut soup alongside year-round favorites. The lower humidity compared to summer means fried foods stay crispy longer, and you can actually stand near cooking stalls without melting.
Taijiang National Park Wetland Kayaking
December's cooler mornings make the 2-3 hour kayak routes through mangrove channels actually pleasant - summer heat makes this activity borderline dangerous. The wetlands sit about 15 km (9.3 miles) west of central Tainan, and December is prime bird migration season with black-faced spoonbills arriving from northern Asia. Water temperatures stay comfortable around 68-70°F (20-21°C), and the low rainfall means waterways are calm and clear. Morning tours (7-10am) catch the best wildlife activity before things warm up.
Salt Mountain and Coastal Sunset Routes
The salt mountains at Qigu (about 40 km/25 miles southwest of Tainan) are weirdly photogenic, and December's lower UV index and cooler temperatures make the exposed landscape bearable. The area includes abandoned salt pans, the white pyramid-shaped salt mountain you can climb, and coastal sunset viewpoints. December sunsets happen around 5:15-5:30pm, and temperatures drop quickly after - you'll want that light jacket by 6pm. The drive south along Highway 17 passes oyster farming villages and fish markets worth stopping at.
Blueprint Culture Village and Art District Exploration
December's variable weather makes having indoor backup plans smart, and Tainan's converted Japanese-era buildings turned art spaces deliver. Blueprint Culture Village (former dorm complex) and nearby Hayashi Department Store (1930s building, now cultural center) offer air-conditioned wandering when afternoon sprinkles hit. The art scene is surprisingly active for a city this size - small galleries, craft workshops, indie bookstores. December often sees year-end exhibitions and craft markets. Plan 2-3 hours for the area.
December Events & Festivals
Tainan Guanziling Hot Spring Season
While Guanziling hot springs operate year-round, December marks the start of peak soaking season when the cooler evenings make the mud springs genuinely appealing rather than just punishing. The springs sit in the hills about 50 km (31 miles) northeast of Tainan city. December evenings cooling to the low 60s°F (16-17°C) create that perfect hot spring temperature contrast. Many facilities offer day-use rates NT$200-400 for basic pools, NT$800-1,500 for private rooms.
Year-End Temple Celebrations
Late December sees various temples holding year-end thanksgiving ceremonies and preparations for upcoming Lunar New Year. The exact dates vary by temple and lunar calendar, but you'll likely catch traditional performances, offerings, and local families making merit. Grand Matsu Temple and Confucius Temple typically have the most visible activities. These aren't tourist-focused events - you're observing genuine local religious practice, which makes them more interesting if you're into cultural immersion.