TainanThe Place TainanStyling hair to the rhythm of vinyl records in the morning light

In the early morning, push open the wooden door of Don Lai Barber Shop and step into a retro ritual.Take a seat in the leather chair, wrapped in a hot towel, as the barber—dressed in a crisp white uniform—shaves, gives a facial, and styles your hair with practiced ease. The soft music and subtle scent of flowers evoke a way of life that has endured since the 1980s. A Tainan morning slowly awakens to the gentle touch of delicate hands.

Next, visit Huagu Barber Shop, where sunlight streams through large floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating vintage barber chairs that resemble stages from an old salon.
Here, traditional techniques are passed down between mother and daughter, from classic cuts and razor work to meridian massage. Even a traveler can feel the city’s tenderness in these quiet moments. After your haircut, step into a private room, where warm hands gently massage your shoulders and back—like putting on a renewed version of yourself for the day ahead.

As vinyl records spin and soft music hums in the background, the Wenting Phonograph Museum opens a portal into Tainan’s auditory past.From antique phonographs to limited-edition posters, the collection tells stories of history through sound. The guide’s gentle narration, accompanied by the mellow tunes, creates a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.

Outside, steam rises from street-side baskets.A bite of a handmade pork bun or crystal dumpling offers the most honest and familiar kind of welcome. From restoring your appearance in a classic barbershop to hearing the old sounds of a turntable, this Tainan morning feels like it’s been gently arranged—by a pair of careful hands and the needle of a phonograph.

ITINERARY BOOKING PLAN A TRIP

Stay, and see how the city begins its day

Dawn inside the room, streets awakening outside —
the journey starts here.

Styling hair to the rhythm of vinyl records in the morning light

Feel the retro elegance of Tainan’s gentlemen’s salon, where style tells its own story

Begin your day in a vintage barber chair, where a hot towel, clean shave, and gentle facial softly awaken your senses. Then step into Taiwan’s only phonograph museum to admire the craftsmanship of vinyl records and antique players, and listen closely to the echoes of old Tainan. This morning ritual—part grooming, part nostalgia—becomes a cherished piece of your travel story.

Experience the hospitality of a vintage barbershop

Relax with a classic facial massage and hair-washing ritual—an invitation to rediscover the refined everyday life of Taiwan’s golden era.
Exclusive guided tour into barbershop culture

Join a guided tour led by the curator of Taiwan Barber Shop Travel, and discover how barbershops once shaped the rhythms of neighborhood life.
Listening to nostalgic sounds at the phonograph museum

Step into a space filled with vinyl records, old radios, and hand-cranked phonographs—where every exhibit echoes with traces of the past.

Exclusive Royal Experience

Local guides lead the way — limited tours to step into the city’s awakening moments.
- One-night stay for two with breakfast ｜ Curated tour & cultural experience ｜ Fixed departure dates
- Join a curator-led tour to uncover the stories behind Tainan’s barbershop culture and its deep ties to the local community.
- Enjoy a vintage grooming ritual with a facial and hair-washing service. After the tour, unwind with a late hotel check-out to end your journey in comfort and style.
Booking Details
Royal Explorer Accommodation Package

Choose the right day, and let the journey unfold from here.
- One-night stay for two without breakfast ｜ Flexible departure time
- Includes a complimentary grooming experience at Huagu Barber Shop. Book in advance to enjoy either a classic shave and trim or a ladies’ oil massage—a refined start to your retro morning.
- Also includes a ticket to the Wenting Phonograph Museum. Explore its collection of vintage turntables and immerse yourself in the nostalgic charm of old Tainan.
Booking Details

CITY AWAKENING PROJECT EXPERIENCE & GUIDE

The first words of awakening are spoken by them

We walk the awakening route of the plan and witness the city’s true opening scene.

Don Lai Barber Shop Retro Grooming Experience

This 70-minute experience includes a professional facial cleansing and massage, a hot towel shave, and a complete hair wash and styling. It begins with the soothing warmth of a steamed towel and unfolds in a vintage barber chair within a nostalgic setting. More than just a grooming session, it’s a relaxing immersion into an old-school ritual—where skilled hands and the charm of yesteryear come together to offer a moment of calm and timeless care.

Taiwan Barber Shop Travel Docent
Tseng Ching-Chun

A second-generation barber, Tseng Ching-Chun grew up in the rhythm of Huagu Barber Shop—surrounded by the sounds of running water and snipping scissors. But rather than simply taking over the family business, she chose a different path: using design and curatorial practice to reimagine the relationship between barbershops and the city.
Now, she leads travelers back to her most familiar space—Huagu Barber Shop, tucked away in the alleys of Tainan. From the techniques of hair washing to the cadence of meridian massage, she shares how barbershops are deeply intertwined with the life of the neighborhood.
To her, barbering is more than grooming. It is “the city’s last living craft”—a ritual that begins with a towel and a pair of hands, awakening the body and reconnecting the traveler with the city itself.

CITY AWAKENING PROJECT SIGHTSEEING SPOTS

Step by step, you encounter the awakening landscapes

As you walk through the morning, these places emerge naturally — a dialogue extended by the city.

Don Lai Barber Shop

Classic elegance in white uniforms and leather chairs

Founded in 1980 by Ms. Wang Hsiu-Lien, Don Lai Barber Shop exudes timeless charm. Its interior, designed by Wu Chin, features deep wood tones, round mirrors, and classic leather chairs. Each station is paired with an individual storage counter—simple, tidy, and meticulously arranged. A touch of elegance is added weekly by the owner herself, who places a fresh arrangement of flowers beside every chair, blending her flair for floristry into the daily rhythm of grooming.
Services include seated hair washing, shoulder and neck massage, shaving, eyebrow shaping, and traditional hot towel facials—all performed by seasoned barbers in their sixties, whose practiced hands bring a gentle precision shaped by time. As soft music plays and quiet conversations flow, you’re transported into a salon scene straight from Taiwan’s golden era.
This is a place where old-school refinement is lovingly preserved. One visit, and you’ll remember the feel of the leather chair, the grace of those white uniforms, and the uniquely Tainan way of beginning your morning—with a wash, a touch, and a moment of calm.

No. 63-1, Chenggong Rd., West Central Dist., Tainan City
Huagu Barber Shop

Hospitality in greenery and hot towels

Sunlight pours in through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft glow over lush plants and spacious barber chairs. The air feels crisp and serene. Here, you’ll find the widest barber chairs in all of Tainan—sitting in one feels like being gently cradled, as the morning’s grooming ritual begins, easing both body and spirit into the day.
Haircuts start with a close study of your head shape, followed by slow, attentive trimming. The shop is run by a mother-and-daughter duo who carry on traditional techniques with care, while understanding the comforts modern guests seek. They also offer English-speaking service, so even international travelers can feel at home in this uniquely Taiwanese barber experience.
Looking to unwind further? Huagu is the only barbershop in Tainan with private massage rooms. After your cut, step into a quiet space where warm, skilled hands loosen your shoulders and quiet your thoughts—like pressing reset for the day ahead.

No. 37, Lane 410, Yiping Rd., Anping Dist., Tainan City
Wenting Phonograph Museum

Taiwan’s first phonograph museum — where vinyl and needle tell their stories

As the needle drops, the vinyl begins to spin, and music from the 1930s flows from the horn, filling the room with warm nostalgia. This is Taiwan’s first museum dedicated to the “memory of sound,” founded by Mr. Hsu Wen-Ting, who turned his personal collection and lifelong passion into a unique sonic archive.
Inside, over a hundred artifacts are on display—from hand-cranked gramophones and vintage radios to limited-edition vinyl records and old promotional posters—drawing you into a gently spinning tunnel of musical history. Guided tours reveal the science behind how a stylus reads grooves, while interactive stations let you try DJ scratching or step into a mini-theater to hear classic radio broadcasts. Here, sound becomes more than background—it becomes a sensory trigger for memory.
The first-floor café and retail space, designed by SkilLability, blends vintage phonographs with modern audio equipment. Sip a coffee, browse the record selection, and let the first note of the day mark the beginning of your journey.

No. 162, Section 2, Minquan Road, West Central District, Tainan City
Wan Chuan Hao Pork Buns

A steaming handmade bun — the perfect way to begin the day

At Wan Chuan Hao, bamboo steamers billow with heat from the break of dawn, filling the alley with the familiar scent of fresh dough. This decades-old shop proudly sticks to handmade methods. The buns are soft yet springy, stuffed with a savory blend of pork, shiitake mushrooms, and salted duck egg yolk. The larger buns come with the richness of the yolk, while the smaller ones offer a purer, simpler bite—hearty but never greasy.
Also worth trying are the crystal dumplings. With their glossy, chewy skin and a filling of minced pork and crunchy yam beans, they deliver a distinct taste of a Tainan morning in every bite.

No. 205, Sec. 1, Minquan Rd., West Central Dist., Tainan City