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Sightseeing and Attractions

Tainan Country

HOW TO GET THERE
 

Tainan County is situated at the center of the largest plain-Chianan Plain-in southwest Taiwan. Located at the foot of a hill and beside the sea, Tainan County rises high in the east and becomes flat in the west. It is sited in the front area of the Central Range to the east and borders the Taiwan Strait to the west. There are a great number of temples in Tainan County. Most of the people in Tainan worship Wang Yeh, which historically refers to the brothers of the emperor and in present-day religion to a Taoist deity. This is why Tainan has more Wang Yeh Temples than any other type of temple. Famous scenic spots in Tainan include temples, seashores, lakes, and mountains. Tainan County has more reservoirs than any other county in Taiwan, These include Tsengwen, Paihe, Chienshanpei, Teyuanpei, Wushantou, Luliao, Hutoupei, Mirror, and Nanhua reservoirs. In addition to supplying water, these reservoirs are also famous scenic areas.


AMUSEMENT PARK

• Leopard King Wildlife Park
  Historical Background : Located in Tainan County, Wan Pi Shi Chieh Wildlife Zoo was established in 1994. It is the first wildlife zoo in Asia and is the first zoo that received tourism medal. The zoo focuses on research, conservation, entertainment and education. 20 hectares in area, the zoo keeps over 300 animals from all over the world. There are performances by trained animals.
  Cultural Highlights : The zoo has the largest amphibious reptile collection in the world, with more than 200 amphibious reptiles from all over the world. In addition, there are raccoons, pandas and many other endangered animals in the zoo. The trained animal performances are entertaining and shorten the distance between visitors and the animals.
   

FARM / SCENERY

• Baihe Lotus
  Baihe is counted as one of the seven major ancient towns of Tainan County, and intensive planting in recent years has also made it the largest producer of lotus seeds and lotus roots in all of Taiwan. This town has been given the name "Lotus Country" because of its unending expanses of lotus fields, which give it some of the island's most unique farm scenery. The lotuses blossom most luxuriantly from June to September each year, and at this time the town organizes a series of Lotus Festival activities. If you want to see lotus blossoms at their loveliest, you will have to get up very early in the morning to view them and to savor the sweet rural life of southern Taiwan. When you've observed your fill of lotus blossoms, go to the Lotus Culture Information Hall and learn how to shell lotus seeds, grind lotus-root powder, and make lotus tea; if you get hungry, you can fill yourself up with a carefully designed lotus banquet. Afterwards you can make a side trip to Guanziling and see the unique flaming spring and the famous temples there, and then travel on to the sights of the Paiho Reservoir. If you are a hot-spring addict you can bathe in the soothing waters of the Guanziling mineral springs.
   

• Coral Lake
  Historical Background : Sha Hu Lake is at the border of Guantian and Liu Chia. The lake is formed with the convergence of over 30 rivers. A reservoir was built here in 1920, which was the largest reservoir construction at that time. There are over 100 isles on the lake. The designer of the reservoir was a Japanese, who was sent to Southeast Asia by the army. After World War II, his wife drowned herself in the reservoir. There is a statue of the Japanese engineer by the reservoir.
  Cultural Highlights : The reservoir has a special structure and the water flowing out of the reservoir forms a beautiful waterfall. On the left of the waterfall is Kuo Min Hotel, in back of which is a camping site. Beside the lake is Chung Cheng Park, which is on top of a hill. The park overlooks the lake and the mountains beyond. Nearby the lake is temple worshipping Goddess of Mercy and Sakyamuni Buddha.
   

GENERAL

• Guanziling
  Historical Background : Guanziling is the peak of Chen Tou Shan, Tainan County. The mountain was the residence of Ping Pu Tribe until 1898, when Japanese soldiers found a hot spring and developed the area. Guanzi Hot Spring is a famous hot spring in southern Taiwan. The spring water is dark gray and bitter, emerging from the rocks. It is the one of the three mud springs in the world. The water is said to possess a healing property.
  Cultural Highlights : Guanziling Tourist District is famous for the hot spring, Hung Yeh Park, Ta Hsien Temple, Pi Yun Temple and Hsien Gung Temple. The hot spring is on the side of the mountain, where hotels, restaurants and spring pools can be found. The natural gas and the spring water exist together in the cave, presenting a peculiar view.
   

MUSEUM / GALLERY / MEMORY

• Chi Mei Museum
  Historical Background : Chi Mei Museum is funded by Chi Mei Corp., a petrochemical company. Chairman Hsu Wen Lung set up Ching Mei Culture Foundation in 1977 and decided to improve public culture. Thus, he established the museum for art exhibition as well as art education. Currently, most paintings in the museum are classical and impressionist. The museum also loans its violins to excellent musicians. Established in 1990, the museum is open to the public and has several exhibition areas, including art, natural history, historic weapons, musical instruments, ancient objects and industrial techniques.
  Cultural Highlights : The museum has a collection of European paintings in the 18th and 19th century, presenting the development of western art. The historic weapon exhibition presents weapons from prehistoric time, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age to modern times. The two canons in front of the museum were designed and built in 1689. They were taken away by foreigners in the 19th century until Chi Mei Culture Foundation purchased them in 1994. The museum also collects valuable violins, including 5 Antonio Stradivaris, 2 Guarneri del Gesu, Nicolo Amati, Jacob Stainer, Amati, Rogeri, Joseph Guarneri Filius Andrea, Seraphin, Gagliano and Guadagnini.
   

HERITAGE / TEMPLE

• Madou Dai Tien Temple
  Historical Background : Ma Tou Tai Tien Temple is the Wang Yeh Temple that has the biggest group of worshippers. The temple worships Li, Chi, Wu, Chu and Fan Chien Suis; thus, it is also called Wu Wang Temple (Five Gods' Temple). The temple was built in the 17th century, when a temple ship floated to the shore and local people built a temple called Pao Ning Temple. Due to the earthquake, Pao Ning Temple was moved to another place and renamed Pao An Temple. In 1955, the temple was rebuilt and renamed Ma Tou Tai Tien Temple. Part of the building still maintains traditional Chuan Chou style.
  Cultural Highlights : Ma Tou Tai Tien Temple has delicate sculptures and paintings. The ridge of the roof is of Chuan Chou style and the roof is covered with colorful glazed tiles. In the back garden, there is a giant sculpture of a Chinese dragon, 76 meters long, 7 meters high, and it was built in 1979. Inside the dragon, tourists can find the settings of paradise, inferno, and underwater world. The altar of Goddess of Mercy here is in a round building, which is very different from other temples. It is said that the 108-layer Kuang Ming Lamp here is the highest in the world.
   

• Nan Kwunshen Temple
  Historical Background : Nan Kun Tun Tai Tien Temple is located in Tainan County, consisting of 2 temples, which worship Wu Fu Chien Sui and Wan Shan Yeh respectively. Legend goes that Wan Shan Yeh was a shepherd boy of a Ching emperor. He practiced Buddhist principles in Kang Lang Shan and became a Buddha here. Wu Fu Chien Sui came to Taiwan later also in the Ching Dynasty. As they both wanted to build a temple here, they had a fight over the land. Goddess of Mercy mediated between them and suggested they both build a temple here to help local people.
  Cultural Highlights : Na Kun Tun Tai Tien Temple is the largest and oldest Wang Yeh Temple in Taiwan. There is Kun Yuan, Hu Yuan, Hai Shan Pavilion and other facilities. Every year, on April 26 and 27 (lunar calendar), people gather here for the yearly exuberant festival.
   

• Yushan Bauguang Temple
  If you start your journey in the west, one of the first places of interest you will pass is Bauguang Temple. This impressive temple, located in Yushan Tsuen, Tainan County, is used to worship several Buddhist and Taoist deities. The temple was constructed only in 1974 and is rich in ornamentation and exquisite carvings.
   

FARMS

• Tzo Ma Lai Park
  Historical Background : Over 300 years ago, Tzo Ma Lai was the residence the aboriginal tribe Ping Pu. It has become a tourist attraction because it is surrounded by Tzeng Wen Reservoir, Wu Shan Tou Reservoir, Hu Tou Pei, Nan Hua Reservoir, Yu Shan National Park and Southern Highway. Tzo Ma Lai has special geography as the rivers cut across the mountains. With the efforts of Tainan County, Tzo Ma Lai has the best recreation and conference facilities. The park is 120 hectares in area, 80 hectares of which is spectacular green grass.
  Cultural Highlights : There is an archery field, racetrack, pasture, camping site, barbeque site, and many other recreational facilities. Visitors can come here either on vacation or for a conference. The well-organized facilities and services are well known at home and abroad. The park has just established a mini-golf course, attracting more golf lovers.

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Information provided by Tourism Bureau, Rep. of China.

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