Tainan

Yes, I know. Putting Zadar, Šibenik, and Varaždin in the same sentence is already a bit crazy — some might even say blasphemous! But if you want to understand Tainan, the oldest capital of Taiwan, this mix might just help.

Like Šibenik, Tainan lives in the softer shadow of a bigger neighbor — Kaohsiung — but keeps its charm and character untouched. It’s a place for slow discovery: wandering narrow lanes, stepping into old temples, sipping tea in hidden courtyards. There’s history on every corner, but also daily life — lived fully, with style and soul.

Like Zadar, Tainan was a historic administrative and cultural center, much like Zadar was for Dalmatia for many centuries. Tainan carries that same kind of regional importance — a city that once led, and still holds its place with confidence.

Like Varaždin, Tainan feels elegant and smart, with a calm rhythm and a love for the arts. Both cities once held the title of capital — Varaždin for 20 years, Tainan for over 200 — and you can still feel that legacy in the way they carry themselves: proud, but never loud.

So yes — this mix of Croatian cities might sound strange. But Tainan, too, is a city of contrasts. Old meets new. Calm meets creativity. And somehow, it all works.

If you ever wanted to visit a place that feels like a Zadar–Šibenik–Varaždin fusion, but with bubble tea, temples, and scooters, Tainan is your city.