From Anping district, we decided to visit one more attraction since there was still sometimes before sunset. We took Bus 98 from Anping to Eternal Golden Castle (億載金城). Fortunately, we did not have to wait too long for the bus to arrive.
Eternal Golden Castle was constructed in 1876 during the Qing Dynasty, following the Mudan Incident and increasing foreign pressure on Taiwan’s shores. The fort was part of a coastal defense strategy initiated by Qing official Shen Baozhen, who recognized the urgent need to modernize Taiwan’s military defenses. One of the most distinctive features of Eternal Golden Castle is its star-shaped layout.
Originally surrounded by a moat, the fortress sits slightly elevated, providing strategic vantage points over the surrounding area. Although it never saw large-scale combat, it symbolized Qing efforts to defend Taiwan during an era of imperial competition.
Walking around the grounds, we saw several historic cannons placed along the fort’s edges. Some were original artillery pieces, while others were replicas that illustrate the fort’s defensive capabilities.
Unlike more crowded attractions in Anping, Eternal Golden Castle felt spacious and calm. It’s less commercialized and offered a more relaxed historical experience.
From Eternal Golden Castle, we took Bus 98 back to Tainan station, where we started our day trip this morning. Though the sky was already dark, our adventure wasn't over yet. From the same bus-stop where we alighted, we took a public bus to a night market in Tainan.
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