This paper presents the first high-resolution Holocene stalagmite record of Taiwan from Jianfei Cave (22 degrees 50.873 N; 120 degrees 21.255 E) in Dagangshan Mountain, South Taiwan. The 13.6-cm long stalagmite (DGS-1) has been dated by AMS C-14 dating, spanning from AD 700 to AD 1933. The delta(18) O, delta C-13 and XRF scanned elemental profiles reveal interannual variations in climate and environmental conditions, with light delta O-18 and delta C-13 excursions reflecting wet climate and better vegetation coverage under stronger East Asia Summer Monsoon (EASM). Dark layers in DGS-1 containing high Fe, Mn and Sr contents were formed during dry episodes. Five periods with different climate regimes and vegetation conditions can be identified in the DGS-1 record: Period I (AD 700-1200) and Period V (AD 1810-1933) had warm and wet climates with good vegetation coverage. A drying trend probably corresponding to the switch from El Nino-like to La Nina-like oceanic condition occurred during Period II (AD 1200-1400). Cold but relatively wet climates with good vegetation coverage were prevailed during Period III (AD 1400-1610), whereas cold and dry climates with poor vegetation coverage were dominated during Period IV (AD 16101810). Based on the rainfall record of Tainan since AD 1897 and the stalagmite record, we found that stronger total solar irradiation (TSI) resulting in strong EASM produces heavy rainfall in South Taiwan on interannual-to-decadal scales; and vice versa. The 117-yr instrumental rainfall record of Tainan showed that rainfall in Tainan decreased during April-to-June and strongly increased during July-to-September in many La Nina years (positive SOI and negative Nino 3.4). This may be because weaker Meiyu rainfall but stronger tropical Equatorial Pacific cyclones (or typhoon) under La Nina condition. Thus, it is better to use seasonal rainfall for detecting relationship between Tainan rainfall and ENSO. On decadal-to-centennial scales, strong El Nino-like state and warm Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) phase are in favor of wet conditions in South Taiwan. (c) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.