Tainan City

The location of the temple used to be called GuiZi Hill (KuiDou Hill). In 1683, the Qing Dynasty forces invaded Taiwan and defeated Ming Prince of Ningjing (Zhu Shugui), who committed suicide. Rather than be left to an uncertain and inglorious fate in the hands of the Qing, the five concubines chose to end their own lives as well. The names of the five concubines were Lady Yuan, Lady Wang, Xiugu, Sister Mei, and Sister He. Their tombs and alters were placed in the Shrine. And the bodies of their two eunuch servants were also buried here (The Righteous Spirit Shrine).

As it was once also called "Sian Shi Shemg Temple" (literally, it suggests that the temple pays homage to the greated teacher in the world), Tainan Confucius Temple is the first in Taiwan memorizes Confucius. In the Ming Dynasty, Yong-hua Chen, Koxinga's chief counselor, advised to build the temple. The Temple, run by the governments, was also the first and highest academy in Taiwan teaching Confucianism during the Ming and Cing dynasties. One of the most important commemorative rituals to be done during the Confucius Cultural Festival held in the Teacher's Day is celebrating Confucius' birthday. There are 38 things needed to be done before completing the ritual. The confucius Cultureal Festival.

Built by the Dutch in 1653,the Tower was once known as “Fort Provintia” and the Han People also called it ”Chihkan Tower” ,“Red Haired Tower.” The Tower’s walls, made of red bricks, are adhered by a specially designed cement mixture, made of sticky rice, sugared water and oyster shell cement; thereby, the Tower withstands time.When there are examinations, students often come here and pray Kuei Xin Ye,the god who guards students, for good grades. The pen held in Kuei Xin Ye’s hand was therefore often stolen.Now you can buy Kuei Xin Ye’s pen at the souvenir department and it is very popular.

The oldest fort in Taiwan. It used to be called Fort Zeelandia or Taiwan City.

Situated not far from the southern edge of the Confucian temple is one of Tainan’s most well preserved city gates. With a history stretching back close to 290 years and one side featuring a monument to stories of past times, the gate sits serenely in the public park’s banyan tree forest, its air of superiority to ward off outside enemies long since dissipated. Currently, it sits more like a decorated old general retired from his duties and returning to life on the fields; like a paternalistic grandfather accompanying everyone in the old town, and silently watching it as it matures and changes. In a previous life, there would have been none of the bright and beautiful countenance of today, and in times gone by it only would have been those keeping watch over the city walls with whom it might be able to keep some company. As far as the townsmen living within the city walls of those days were concerned, this was a barrier of safety and part of the fabric of daily life. At that time the outer barbican entrance to the city was shaped like a moon to aid in fighting the enemy, and this style is known as a crescent-shaped barbican. These days, the gate has become a place where people gather to listen to concerts under moonlight, a testament to the gate’s lunar name and origins.

Built in 1936, Jhonyi Elementary School's assembly hall was once where Old Tainan Martial Art Academy located. Old Tainan Martial Art Academy was built to glorify Janpanese samurai spirits. There are four other martial arts academies, respectively in Taichung, Jhanghua, Kaohsiung and Cishan District of Kaohsiung City; while Tainan Martial Arts Academy is the largest and grandest among the five.

Tainan State Hall was served as an administration office during the Qing Dynasty time (Yongfu Elementary School nowadays). Not until Taisho 1st year the new state hall was built in Saiwaicho, and was completed in 1916 (Japanese era Taisho 5th year), which is the Tainan City Government nowadays. This building was designed by Moriyama Matsunosuke, the architect of Taiwan Sotokufu. It was damaged seriously by the World War II and repaired many times after the retrocession of Taiwan. The administrative structure of Taiwan was adjusted in 1920 (Japanese era Taisho 9th year), so it was renamed to Tainan State Hall.

Southern Taiwan Science Park is not only a science park of high technology, but also a beautiful sight-seeing park with many scenic spots worth of visiting. Those include lively and abundant ecological regions of 30 hectares, a very unique Siraya Square, and pleasant low-density green meadows and trees. If you aim to have fun in the park, areas around flood detention pools are certainly the must-visit. Currently, there are three artificial flood detention pools: Daoye, Xiake and Yinxi lakes all with different views to admire. The pedestrian bridge on Siraya Avenue with a silhouette similar to a cable-stayed bridge together and the nearby public art pieces are where visitors aim to take pictures.

Built in 1932, it was the biggest department store in Tainan and the local once called it "Wu Ceng Lou Zi' (which literally means five-story building). It was named after its Japanese owner, Mr. Hayashi, as visitors can see the character, Hayashi, shown on the window of the building. The first elevator in Tainan sits in this department store.

Chimei Museum collects masterpieces of Western art, giving visitors a more in-depth understanding of Western art.

The gutter section in the back of Sicau Dazhong Temple was ever the very spot to grow purely Limnitzera Racemosa forests to the greatest extent, and now is the best mangrove forests area to observe. There are 3 types of mangroves existent here: Avicennia Marina with the largest quantity, Limnitzera Racemosa with the number coming in second, and only a few Rhisophora Stylosa trees. It’s better to watch the mangrove forests and the birds, fiddler crabs (up to approximately 6 kinds), mudskippers inside the forests from the mild hill behind Dazhong Temple. Also riding a sight-seeing boat to pass through the mangrove tunnel makes a different case for deep experience of nature.

Cigu Salt Field is the largest salt field in Taiwan's history. As the salt industry declines, Cigu Salt Field changed into a tourist attraction. There are two salt mountains: the highest peak of salt mountain and the north peak of salt mountain. The highest peak has become Cigu's landmark. The salt density of unsinkable sea is as high as 17 Degree Baume, which almost competes to that of the Dead Sea. Visitors can make salt in traditional salt fields.