This is Xiaying’s Shangdi Temple,
known for worshiping Xian Tian Shang Di,
who is also known for destroying evil.
You can actually trace the history of this temple
all the way back to 1661 during Ming Dynasty.
It is the oldest temple for worshiping Xian Tian Shang Di in Taiwan.
This temple is the most recognizable center in Xiaying.
And not only is this a religious center,
but also a social center
for people to hang out and have fun in Xiaying.
Let’s go inside and find out what’s in there.
The history of this temple is over 357 years old.
In 1661, Koxinga arrived in Tainan from Lu Er Men.
One of his generals, Liu Guo-syuan,
brought the spirit of Xian Tian Shang Di here to Xiaying.
It wasn’t until 1983 that we built a temple here,
The temple is divided into many sections,
collectively called Xiaying’s Shangdi Temple.
One hundred years!
He’s telling me that these were actually
all made from paper
and made over a hundred years ago.
These are special clothes designed for the Gods to wear.
Are these from the previous temple?
Yes, from the old temple.
These are just some small ornaments
from previous temples before the construction,
so they saved some pieces and keep them here.
The century-old Shangdi Temple
has gone through various renovations and expansions.
Unfortunately, it’s also under construction at the moment.
But through this process,
we are able to see history preserved as it was.
Located near the Shangdi Temple,
Wu Cheng-en Park covers a large area of land.
Because the park was funded and constructed by the temple owner,
it is closely related to Shangdi Temple.
The locals believe that Xian Tian Shang Di
steps on turtles with his left foot,
and snakes with his right foot.
Thus turtles and snakes
are ride and envoy of the Xian Tian Shang Di.
That is why many believers leave their turtles here at this pond.
Today, this park is an ecological conservation area for turtles.
Maybe you can find the envoy of Xian Tian Shang Di here.
Further down the road
stands a big mansion covering an area of over 990 m2.
It is a fusion of Chinese three-sided courtyard house
and Western architecture.
The nameplate reads: "Hai Qian Ben Jia."
What on earth is this place?
This building was built in 1958.
Wow that’s 50 to 60 years.
Yes, 50 to 60 years.
In Tainan, it is uncommon to see a northern styled building
standing together with a southern styled building
on your right hand side.
Mr. Tseng Po-ren(who first built the house)
had ever worked in the government.
So his descendent carved the symbol of his position into the roof.
In Taiwan, red means good fortune.
At one point there were many families living here.
He hoped that red would bring more prosperity.
So he used the red color as the main theme.
All the red doors you see here,
all of them, including windows, added up to 51.
All of these are hundred-year-old Taiwanese timber.
If a door or window is broken,
we would turn it into a table.
We truly want this old house to come alive and reborn.
“Hai Qian” actually means the coast.
When Koxinga first came to Taiwan,
he set up many military bases along the coast.
And “Hai Qian Camp” is the old name of Xiaying District.
This building behind me is actually over 50 years old
and used to belong to the Tseng family in Xiaying.
Now it is a recreational center and a tourist spot
for everyone to come and enjoy,
and also to soak in the history of Xiaying District.
due to its historical significance.
So next time if you come to Sicao,
don’t miss this artillery fort.
Those who love cycling in Tainan,
all know the Shanhai Canal Greenway.
The scenery here is beautiful.
But where does the path start?
Let me check it out with our docent today, Zhi-zhong.
What is the best way to experience
or enjoy this the Shanhai Canal Greenway?
First, let me introduce you the Shanhai Canal Greenway.
It is a cycling path
built along Chianan Canalestablished by Yoichi Hatta,
and starting from Wushantou Reservoir.
The Shanhai Canal Greenway is about 45 kilometers in length.
It’s not only a historical and cultural sight,
but also a river ecosystem.
About 15 kilometers of the greenway is situated in Annan District.
It’s designated the bike lane
to ensure the safety of cyclists.
The greenway starts from a Chinese tallow tree tunnel
around the National Museum of Taiwan History.
Trees such as Sea hibiscus, Madagascar almond,
Indian almond, and Chinaberry can be found along the greenway,
and they provide shades for cyclists.
Hsuan-hui, let me show you around.
In fact, one of the best thing about here is that,
when you come here to the Shanhai Canal Greenway ,
you don’t even have to bring your own bicycle,
you can just rent the T-bike, and you can be on your way.
Let’s go.
The viewing platform overlooks Sicao Bridge and Sicao lake
and gives you the chance to see the incredible sunset.
The greenway is both significant in its cultural and ecological values.
When it comes to salt fields,
Cigu or Jingzaijiao may come to your mind.
In fact, there’s a salt field eco-culture village in Annan District.
So, what’s the best way to visit this wonderful place?
Here, you may experience activities related to salt
and also understand the process of how salt is made.
In addition to having a try on washing salt field,
tourists can visit some of the historical architectures
built for the salt production business.
The docents here will show you around
the ecosystem, traditional beliefs and cultures of this area.
Hsuan-hui, we are standing by a crystallization pond
in a tile-paved salt field.
This pond is called iăm-gēh-à in Hokklo.
Now they are washing the iăm-gēh-à (Hokklo).
The salt evaporation pond has to be washed every time
a pile salt is harvested
so that there will be no impurities in the salt.
This circle next to the crystallization pond is a brine storage pond
called ĭn-gon-à in Hokklo.
So you see, this kind of work really depends a lot on the weather.
And you see, when it rains, the salt will be gone.
But the ancestors had a very good solution to it.
You see,
here right behind me!
When it rains,
they can put all dried salt in it again,
so that the dried salt would not be gone.
Hsuan-hui, let’s go try shoving and picking salt!
Now, I’ve changed my rain boots,
and now we’re going to try to shove salt.
Let’s go!
Wow, it really takes a lot of hard work.
After shoving just a few minutes,
I’m totally worn out.
The salt filed eco-culture village
displays many daily necessities you would find in early salt villages.
So here at Anshun Salt Factory,
you can really learn a lot about salt culture.
And what’s more important is
to experience how to make salt and how to dry them up.
We’re now here at Luermen,
and this is where the entry point was in the past.
When people want to enter Taiwan or exit Taiwan,
they can park their ships over here in this harbor.
Here, a lot of business people would do some trading.
Like they would import stuff into Taiwan.
Or they can export some Taiwanese stuff to foreign countries.
And this is why a lot of people call here,
Luermen, as the door of Taiwan.
There is a path along the Luermen River.
It’s a good place to take a walk
and enjoy sea breeze.
We’re now here at Luermen Ｍatzu Temple
Before we enter the temple,
let’s take a walk around the tour sites around the temple.
Just behind me, there is a park with
beautiful plants, trees, and flowers,
where you can take a walk and take a rest.
So, let’s check it out
This is Mr. Yo,
Hi, Mr. Yo.
So what is the best way to visit Luermen Ｍatzu Temple?
I can show you around.
Okay!
First, I would recommend you to appreciate the Dashanmen.
And then the architecture of our temple.
These are all carved beams and painted pillars.
They are worth paying a visit.
What’s also worth mentioning
is the cultural and creative products made by Luermen Matzu Temple.
The design of lucky charms varies from temple to temple.
If you bring this gift back home,
It’s like bringing the blessing from Matzu back home!
So if you take this back home,
you should open the umbrella,
and put it somewhere in your home, but not in your bedroom.
So if you’re a student,
it would bless you a better academic performance.
If you’re working now,
it would bless you to have a better career development.
So if you come here,
don’t forget to bring your blessing from Matzu back home!
The two statues behind me are the generals of Matzu.
One of them can hear from far away.
And the other can see from far away.
And these two generals are like the helpers of Matzu.
They will help to see if someone is doing something bad.
There are a lot of surprises
waiting for you!
Every year during the lantern festival,
many tourists swarm to Annan District
because the firework display here is incredible!
We’re now here at Orthodox Luermen Shengmu Temple
Now, come on and let’s check it out!
Hi,Director-general!
Hi! Ladies and gentlemen,
wish you a pleasant day.
Could you please briefly introduce Luermen Shengmu Temple?
Luermen Shengmu Temple is the largest temple of all among Southeast Asia.
The statues of deity Qianliyan and Shunfeng’er
are about 17 meters in height.
It’s impressive.
Luermen Shengmu Temple worships not only Matzu,
but also the Wufuqiansui (the Plague Gods), Guanyin, and Yueh-lao!
There’s also a Yueh-lao Temple where people can ask
for love and romantic questions.
So that the God could bless them with a better relationship with others.
The annual firework display
is an important event.
The firework display is impressive
and beautiful!
Next time, when you come to Tainan,
don’t forget to pay a visit at Annan District.
All those temples and the National park,
and also a lot of ecological places to visit,
you will definitely have a great time here.
So, see you next time, bye.