The Zheng Ancestral Shrine (Ancestral Shrine of Koxinga)
The Zheng Ancestral Shrine (Zhèng Shì Jiā Miào 鄭氏家廟) Much is made of the achievements of the national hero Zheng Chenggong (鄭成功), also known as Koxinga. He defeated the dutch and established the first Chinese kingdom on the island of Taiwan, and thus he has his own shrine dedicated to his worship in Tainan. However, … Continue reading
Dehua Hall (Dehua Temple)
Dehua Hall (dé huā táng 德化堂) This building originally dates from 1837, but has been renovated many times. I’ve always liked this temple from the outside. I like the long wall and the simple, low-lying architecture. There’s something very simple, unassuming and peaceful about the place. The lack of colorful dragons and deities adorning the roof should tell … Continue reading
Tainan Grand Matsu Temple
Tainan Grand Matsu Temple (Dà Tiānhòu Gōng 大天后宮) The goddess Matsu is one of the most important deities in Taiwan. It’s a simple equation, really: Goddess of the Sea + Taiwan being an island = high status among worshippers. Matsu was already important among the coastal Fujianese before crossing the straight, but the perilous journey from … Continue reading
Temple of the Five Concubines
Temple of the Five Concubines (Wǔfēi Miào 五妃廟) Unlike urban cemeteries in Europe where you can find people sitting next to grave stones and reading books, Taiwanese people are far too superstitious to treat a grave site as a park. The very idea of entering a cemetery for any purpose other than to clean the tomb and … Continue reading
Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) Shrine
Zheng Chenggong Shrine (Zhèng Chénggōng Miào 鄭成功廟) If you live in or even visit Tainan, it should be required that you know who Zheng Chenggong is. His name is aligned to both the city and the very foundations of Taiwan. The city’s most central street and its most prestigious university are named after him (note there are a variety of … Continue reading
Tainan City Guide 