Tainan City served as the nation’s capital in the past, and it is also the nation’s oldest city. In addition to this, it is considered to be the cultural centre of the nation. Tainan City, which was once known as Fu-Cheng, asserts that it has the greatest number of Buddhist and Taoist temples in all of Taiwan. Furthermore, the city has been able to effectively preserve its treasure of traditional temples, relics, rituals, and ceremonies throughout the course of its history.
Tainan City is noted for its many historical sites, which are known for their ability to maintain the city’s culture. This is the city’s expertise. In point of fact, you will come across a temple almost every three steps in this city. Education and extracurricular activities in general are accorded a high priority in the county. Tainan City should be on every tourist’s agenda despite the fact that it is not particularly affluent and contemporary because of the cultural diversity and charm that it has all on its own.
Main Tourist Attractions of Tainan City, Taiwan
Chikan Tower
The Dutch are credited with the construction of Chikan Tower in the year 1653. Both the Dutch and the Chinese had their own titles for the tower; the Dutch called it Provintia, which means forever, while the Chinese called it Chikan Tower. The tower is adorned with imposing stone turtles that hold plates that date back to the Ching dynasty. These turtles are located at the front of the tower. In addition, there is a stone figure of a horse that seems to have a broken leg that may be found here.
Official God of War Temple
It was somewhere in the 17th century that construction began on the Official God of War Temple. It is one of the oldest temples in Taiwan, if not the oldest. According to the many traditions that have been passed down, the temple was built during the reign of Yungli, who was a member of the Ming dynasty.
Matsu Temple (Ma Chu Temple)
This temple was built by the government of Taiwan in honour of Ta Tien Hou, also known as the Heaven God Mother. She is revered in this religion. The deity is also sometimes referred to as the Mother of Ma Chu. There are a lot of plates within the temple, and many of them have inscriptions on them that were written by famous academics and emperors. The temple was exquisitely crafted to showcase Taiwan’s distinctive style of architecture via its design.
Altar of Heaven
The Jade Emperor is considered to be the most important god in Taoism, and the Temple of the Altar of Heaven was built in his honour. Additionally, it is known as the Temple of the Lord of Heaven (Tien Kung). On the first and fifteenth of every month, worshipers make their way to the temple to offer prayers to the god. The temple does not have a statue of the deity, but it does have the well-known Yi inscription hanging over the altar. This inscription conveys the message that there is only one correct path to heaven, and that is the path of humanity and justice.
Confucius Temple
When compared to the other temples that can be found in Taiwan, the one in Tainan that is dedicated to Confucius stands out as being very elegant. This temple, which was created in the year 1666, is considered to be the very first temple that was built prior to the collapse of the Manchu monarchy. The inside of the temple exudes an air of calm and serenity to all who enter there. The twelve artefacts that date back to the Manchu era and are hung horizontally inside the temple, together with the old musical instruments that have been meticulously preserved, are among the most notable aspects of the temple.
Great South Gate
As the former capital of Taiwan, Tainan had as many as 14 gates to protect the city. The Great South Gate is one of the gates from this set of 14, and it is one of the few that have survived to the present day. This gateway was built in the year 1736, and since it has been arched in the shape of a half moon, it is definitely worth taking a look at. This gate has an excellent placement from an architectural standpoint, and also improves the safety of the inner gate.
Koxinga’s Shrine
Koxinga’s Shrine is a memorial that was built in 1662 and is devoted to the Ming dynasty Emperor Cheng Cheng Kung and the people who followed him. Cheng Cheng Kung, well known by his moniker Koxinga, is revered for the contributions he made to the advancement of Taiwan’s culture and society. The style of architecture seen in Foochew Province was used in the construction of the structure. Within the confines of the temple is where you’ll find the Tainan Cultural Museum, which is home to an extensive collection of historical relics.
Wufei Temple
In the year 1683, the Wufei Temple was constructed to serve as a mausoleum for five concubines who had previously lived with the King of Ningjing and chosen to end their lives together. This temple is unique among those found in Taiwan due to the fact that its entrance gods are depicted as eunuchs and maids. Due to the fact that this structure serves as both a temple and a tomb, it is classified as a yin temple. The ambiance within the temple is one of tranquilly and contentment.
Lady Linshui’s Temple
This temple is devoted to Lady Linshui, and it is particularly well-known for the graces it bestows upon ladies who come to the goddess with the desire to have a son and ask for her help. In addition to the statue depicting the goddess herself, there are another 36 sculptures located in the chambers that surround it. According to legend, these statues serve as the goddess’s personal servants.
City God Temple
According to the mythology that is prevalent in China, the City God serves as a prosecutor in the world, and the City God Temple is devoted to honouring him. It is thought that he travels throughout the living world acting as a strict taskmaster, guiding individuals along the path that leads to the truth in their daily lives. In addition to this, Jesus warns individuals of the punishments that await them if they continue to live a sinful lifestyle and engage in improper behaviour.
Anping Fort
A significant part of Taiwan’s past may be found in the Anping Fort. This fort was originally known as Zeelandia when it was constructed in the year 1634 by the Dutch. After his victory against the Dutch, Koxinga was able to seize control of it. The only remnants of the fort that can be discovered today are an outside wall and two pieces in the shape of a semisphere that can be located to the north of the fort.
Eternal Golden Castle
The Eternal Golden Castle, which is also known as the ‘An Pin Great Fort,’ was built with the purpose of providing resistance to the Japanese troops that were stationed there. This imposing structure was finished in the year 1876 and was modelled like a traditional European stronghold. The castle has the form of a square and features architecture that is influenced by Western traditions. Its four sides were pushed outwards, while the middle was sunken in. The grounds around the castle are beautifully designed, and they include a large number of bronze statues as well as various cannons.
