01.Starting Point: Tainan Sanshan Guowang Temple and Kaiji Tianhou Temple
The journey begins at the national historic site, "Tainan Sanshan Guowang Temple." The temple was originally built for Guangdong Chaozhou immigrants to worship the gods of Jinshan, Minshan, and Dushan. Established during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, it holds significant meaning for worship in Tainan today. Walking out of the temple and heading down Beihua Street and Ziqiang Street on the left—both old streets dating back to the Qing Dynasty—is a delightful experience and a private spot not to be missed in Tainan travel. As I walked, I encountered "Kaiji Tianhou Temple," known as the earliest Mazu temple on the main island of Taiwan. Although this temple, dating back to the Ming-Zheng period, is small, it has much to offer; the figures of General Qianliyan and General Shunfeng'er are elegant and majestic, and the "Hanfan" (foreigners) supporting the eaves are quite adorable.
Sanshan Guowang Temple exhibits a unique Chaozhou style.
Hanging historical plaques.
Ceramic mosaic fish decorations featuring the eastern Guangdong Chaozhou style.
02.Second Stop: Taiwan 祀典 Wumiao Temple
The famous historical plaque "Dazhangfu" (A Great Man), erected during the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong period, features bold and vigorous calligraphy.
Representative vermilion high walls (the magnificent gable lines of 祀典 Wumiao Temple).
Walking not far along Chikan Street, you arrive at "Taiwan 祀典 Wumiao Temple." As a Guandi temple that held imperial spring and autumn sacrifices by decree during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, it is the only Wumiao temple to hold the honor of "祀典" (Imperial Sacrifice).
The "Dazhangfu" plaque hanging high inside the temple was gifted by Yang Tingli, a Taiwan Defense Commissioner of the Qing Dynasty, with powerful calligraphy. What fascinated me most about the 祀典 Wumiao Temple on this prefecture city tour was the vast, magnificent vermilion gable walls.
03.Third Stop: Prefecture City Jiling Beiji Temple
Next, turning from Yongfu Road into Section 2 of Minquan Road, you arrive at "Prefecture City Jiling Beiji Temple." Xuan Tian Shangdi (The Northern Emperor) was a significant deity during the Ming Dynasty; therefore, this "Da Shangdi" temple, established during the Ming-Zheng period, was the most important temple in the prefecture at that time. Due to its extraordinary historical status, you can still see the oldest surviving plaque in Taiwan, "Weiling Heyi," gifted by Prince Ningjing of Ming, Zhu Shugui. Additionally, the main hall preserves many exquisite murals and paintings by the master Pan Li-shui, which are well worth taking the time to stop and appreciate the heritage of this cultural tour.
The historical "Jiling Gudi" plaque hanging inside the temple, with the roof beams above painted with patterns of auspicious elephants.
One of the door gods painted by Master Pan Li-shui. The solemn blue-faced door god "Wen Taibao" features a third eye, symbolizing the insight into the world.
The exquisite golden "Beiji Temple" sign hanging high above the main hall entrance, with the "Gongchen Zejia" temple banner hanging below.
The magnificent "Door God" painting by the master of painting art, Pan Li-shui.
04.Final Stop: Taiwan Prefecture City God Temple
"Er Lai Le" (You have arrived), one of the three famous plaques in Tainan, filled with warnings about life.
Traditional mud sculpture and ceramic mosaic (a soldier holding a foreign gun, with "Guotai" visible above).
Leaving Beiji Temple, I continued from Minquan Road to Qingnian Road, arriving at the final stop today, "Taiwan Prefecture City God Temple." This temple, listed as a national historic site, was built during the Ming-Yongli era; its extraordinary historical status is self-evident. Looking around, the footprints of our pilgrimage tour have actually spanned three or four hundred years of history. Thinking of this, I truly feel unbelievable in my heart. The "Er Lai Le" plaque hanging in the temple is one of Tainan’s three famous plaques, and paired with the Twenty-Four Departments and the majestic judge deities within the temple, the atmosphere is solemn and the craftsmanship is exquisite, making it highly worth observing.
05.Pilgrimage Imagery Record: Prefecture City Walking Collection
Ziqiang Street was formerly known as "Dajung Street," a historical official road of the prefecture.
Ceramic mosaic decorations of curled flowers and plants at the end of the flat roof ridge.
Highly unique historical stickers, talismans, or folk markers (the patterns of scissors, mirrors, and rulers symbolize auspicious meanings of family safety and order).
A wooden old business plaque above the door lintel on Dajung Street (now Ziqiang Street).
The wood carving "Hanfan Carrying Temple Corners" at the junction of the temple eaves and beams.
A highly three-dimensional and vibrant "White Tiger" stone carving (Tiger Descending the Mountain).
Golden Eighteen Arhats statue; pictured is the legendary "Arhat Dissecting Heart" (usually referring to the "Happy Arhat" Subakula, symbolizing having Buddha in the heart).
Highly representative vermilion "gable top decoration."
Precious historical stele—"Shangdi Temple Left Flank Car Road Lease Stele."
