Tainan, like present Taipei, became the island's political, economic and cultural center, attracting merchants from all over Taiwan. During the Ching dynasty, the harbors of Tainan, Lukang and Wanhua were particularly famous for their bustling activities, with Tainan at the forefront.
爾後清廷沿其舊制，置台灣府於台南，築城門、擴街市、修安平港，「府城」地位扶搖直上，有一府（台南）二鹿（鹿港）三艋舺（萬華）之說。「當年的台南，就好比今天的台北，是全台政治、經濟、文化中心。」