Tainan City Temples
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Taiwan Tainan More Tainan Temples Temples at Luermen
Devotion at Kai Yuan Temple Kai Yuan Temple is one of the largest and oldest temples in Tainan. This purely Buddhist temple was built in 1680 by Koxingha's heir, Zheng Ching, as a residence for his mother and was then called Bei Yuan Villa. It became a Buddhist monastery under the name Hai Hui Si in 1690. The hospital next door belongs to the temple and is itself a fine example of traditional architecture. |
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Confucius Temple
Tainan's Confucius Temple was constructed by Ming loyalist General Chen Yunghua, in the year 1666 and is the oldest Confucian temple in Taiwan. More of a shrine than a real temple, the Confucius Temple is a popular place to pray for success in exams. There are some nice gardens in the grounds and squirrels inhabit the trees. There are often concerts and other cultural events staged at the Confucius Temple. The nearby stone arch is thought to have been built in 1683 during rennovations to the temple. If you pass through the arch and take the next turn right you will come to a small Taoist temple, across from which is "The Green House" a popular cafe serving Western style cuisine.
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Feed the pigeons and the squirrels in the pleasant surroundings of Tainan's Confucius Temple Address: No.2, Nanmen Rd., West Central District, Tainan City 700, Taiwan (R.O.C.) |
The Five Concubines Temple (Wu Fei Miao) is a small shrine dedicated to the five concubines of Ning Jing, a relative of the last Ming emperor. It is said that when Ning Jing killed himself in the face of the Ching advance, his five concubines did likewise for the sake of chastity and virtue.
The Five Concubines Temple, dedicated to the memory of the five concubines of Ning Jing who martyred themselves for the sake of the Ming Dynasty Address: No.201, Wufei St., West Central District, Tainan City 700, Taiwan (R.O.C.) |  |
Chuhsi Temple
This purely Buddhist temple is housed within the Athletic complex (Tiyu Gongyuan) off Jian Kang Road. Head past the baseball stadium and cross a small bridge, it's on the left. It's a fairly impressive structure and well worth a look should you decide to take one of the pleasant walks along the nearby canal. It's also within easy walking distance of the Five Concubines Temple and the Tainan Martyrs' Shrine which is also housed in the athletic park, further east on Jian Kang Road.
Tel: (06)2614957
It just so happens Chuhsi Temple sits behind where we play rugby on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the local Tainan Rugby Club.
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Chuhshi Temple (left) and Tainan Martyrs Shrine.
A good southern temple trek might begin at the Confucius Temple, head south on Nanmen Road past the Great South Gate, turn left into Wufei Street pass the Five Concubines Temple, on down to the Athletic Park housing Chuhsi Temple and the Martyr's Shrine. Back north along Fahua Street you will pass Fahua Temple, turn left into Kaishan Road you can take in the Koxingha Shrine and Museum. From there you could return to the Confucius temple directly or take in the East Mountain Temple and the City Gods Temple before finishing the loop. The Tainan City Government website has an interactive map which sometimes works. If I can find something more reliable I'll put up a link.
Taiwan Tainan More Tainan Temples Temples at Luermen
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