Grab a Coffee and Get Lost in Snail Alley, Tainan’s Hipster Maze

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Snail Alley (蝸牛巷), not to be confused with Shennong Street (which I’ve done before), is Downtown Tainan’s most hipster location. Extending far beyond just one street, Snail Alley is nestled deeply within an area full of narrow passageways constructed in an exhaustive maze-like pattern. But an adorable one, as the alley and maze itself is filled with all sorts of snail-themed statues, murals, and delightful treats.

History of Snail Alley

Just like Jiufen’s Japanese inspiration, Snail Alley is linked to another creative inspiration. However, where the lanterned tea houses of Jiufen Old Street potentially were the setting for ‘Spirited Away’, Snail Alley actually gained its name from a fictional alley in a novel (‘The Past is Like a Cloud’). Written by Yeh Shih-tao 葉石濤 (1925 – 2008), a prolific Taiwanese literary author who also happened to live on Snail Alley, the book describes an alley whose relaxed atmosphere is similar to the slow pace of a snail. 

While this sleepiness is certainly reflected in some parts of the street, exploring this cultural zone of Downtown Tainan can still get quite busy. In the case of West Central District Tainan, where Snail Alley lies, visitors should keep an eye out for both people and scooters, especially in the more narrow passageways, as the area is both a vibrant residential neighborhood and motorist shortcut.

What to see and do in Snail Alley

In addition to the quirky murals and statues dotted along the street, there’s also plenty of delectable snail-themed treats (台南 蝸牛巷 美食 = Tainan Snail Alley Food) to enjoy on your walk.

What to do near Snail Alley

• Visit the Yeh Shih-tao Literature Memorial Museum

Yeh Shih-tao’s associations with the area run much deeper than a sleepy snail alley. A famous Taiwanese writer whose writings were taught in the national curriculum, Yeh Shih-tao was a Tainan local who spent his remaining years in a residence located on Snail Alley. You can learn more about his life, his works, and how he clashed with the KMT, at the Yeh Shih-tao Museum.

If we want to prove the existence of Taiwan, we must write the history of Taiwan.

Yeh Shih-tao

• Address: No. 8-3, You’ai St., West Central Dist., Tainan City
• Open hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm
• Admission: FREE

Hotels close to Snail Alley

While there are tons of hostels hidden within the streets surrounding Snail Alley, however navigating the good from the bad can be challenging – especially if you don’t know Chinese. Thankfully, there are plenty of decent hotels close to the area, like budget LIHO Hotel Tainan.

Looking for something a bit more luxurious? Stay in style at LakeShore Hotel Tainan and Silks Place Tainan, located right by the giant Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store, cool-kid-hangout Blueprint Cultural Creative Park, and trendy Haian Road.