The Complete Guide to Jiuxiang Homestay (舊巷家民宿), Tainan

Introduction

Nestled in the heart of Tainan’s historic West Central District, 舊巷家民宿 (Jiuxiang Homestay) embodies the quiet charm of Taiwan’s oldest city. Tucked on a narrow alley off Xinyi Street, this family-run guesthouse puts you steps from centuries-old temples, street food stalls, and colonial-era landmarks, making it the perfect base for travelers looking to experience authentic Tainan beyond the crowded tourist hubs. Whether you’re a food chaser chasing the perfect bowl of tan tsai noodles or a history lover eager to explore Tainan’s layered past, Jiuxiang Homestay delivers a comfortable, unpretentious stay rooted in local culture.

Hotel Overview

Jiuxiang Homestay is located at No. 12, Xinyi Street, West Central District, Tainan, a quiet residential block minutes from Tainan’s most famous food and sightseeing districts. The homestay offers clean, cozy non-smoking rooms fitted with all the essentials for a comfortable stay: every room has air conditioning, a standing fan, flat-screen TV with cable channels, bedside outlets for charging devices, closet hangers, and fresh linens. En-suite private bathrooms come stocked with free toiletries, toilet paper, towels, slippers, a hairdryer, and a roomy shower. Common areas include a shared lounge with a sofa and TV where guests can relax or connect with other travelers, and free Wi-Fi is available across the entire property. The staff speak Mandarin Chinese, offer free luggage storage for early arrivals or late departures, and can point you to the best local food spots off the typical tourist trail. Note that the homestay has no on-site parking, so drivers will need to use nearby public parking lots.

Nearby Attractions

Three unmissable local sights are all within a 15-minute walk of the homestay:

• Confucius Temple of Tainan: Taiwan’s oldest Confucian temple, built in 1665, is a 10-minute walk away. This sprawling complex of sweeping red wooden gates and quiet courtyards blends southern Chinese and Hokkien architectural styles, and it’s surrounded by tree-lined lanes dotted with independent bookstores and cozy cafes.
• Shennong Street: A 5-minute stroll from the homestay, this 19th-century merchant street has been carefully restored to preserve its Japanese colonial and Qing-era brick townhouses. Today, it houses quirky independent boutiques, traditional tea houses, and street art, perfect for slow afternoon wandering.
• Chikan Tower: One of Tainan’s most iconic landmarks, 10 minutes from Jiuxiang, this 17th-century fort blends Dutch colonial and Qing-era Chinese architecture. Climb the stone steps for views over the old city, and explore the surrounding gardens dotted with ancient stone artifacts.

Travel Tips

Since the homestay has no on-site parking, we recommend traveling by public transport: take a Taiwan Railways train to Tainan Station, then a 10-minute taxi ride to the property for less than NT$100. If you do drive, the closest public parking lot is 300 meters away on Guohua Street, with hourly rates starting around NT$20. Tainan’s best street food is served before midday, so ask the homestay staff to point you to the nearby tan tsai noodle and coffin bread stalls that open as early as 6 a.m. The homestay uses key entry for access, so be sure to note your check-in window in advance to coordinate key pickup with the host. Finally, the entire property is non-smoking, so plan to smoke only in designated public