Tainan City Temples

Koxingha Shrine, Tainan

Koxingha (Zheng Cheng Gong) is undoubtedly Taiwan's greatest historical figure and it's hardly surprising he has been somewhat deified. He was the hero who liberated Taiwan from a foreign power by kicking out the Dutch in 1663 and "restoring" Chinese rule to the Island. There is a shrine dedicated to him here and a museum with displays outlining the history. Just across the road at the back of the shrine is Lady Linshui's Temple

Fahua Temple, Tainan.

Fahua Temple (Fahua Si) was built by Magistrate Jiang, Yu-ying in the year 1684 on a site which was previously called the Butterfly Garden and was the residence of Li Mao-chun, a Ming Dynasty official. Much of the original grounds including a small lake were destroyed by allied bombing in WW2 so what exists today is mostly a reconstruction based on the original layout.

Fahua Street is a narrow street connecting Jian Kang Road and Kai Shan Road.

Catholic Church on Kaishan Road, Tainan City

Christianity in Tainan may be as high as 10% and some of the country's earliest high schools were founded here by various missions. There are churches of various denominations, including Catholic, 7th Day Adventist, and Presbyterian. If you head from Fahua Temple to the Koxingha Shrine on Kaishan Road you will see this Catholic church on the right as you pass.

Temple Party at Long Shan Temple, Tainan City

Long Shan Temple is near my home in Tainan City's South District, Kuen Shen village. The temple has a long history and can be a pretty active place on certain occasions. A roadside placque along Ching Shui Road informs us that the temple has existed at least since 1527 which would make it one of the oldest temples in Taiwan. I am a little suspicious of the dates however and it seems more likely that the temple was built dring the Koxingha era. (Watch this space! I'll get to the bottom of it.)

Address: Kuen Shen Rd. South District, Tainan City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

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