Official Reception Stone Arch(接官亭)

Due to the Taiwan Strait separating Taiwan from Mainland China, in times past, communication and dealings between the two places was somewhat difficult. When officials were sent to various parts of Taiwan to take up new posts, they would first head for to Xiamen (廈門) before transferring to boat for their passage over water. After passing through the stormy seas and rough waves they would arrive at Luermen Harbor (鹿耳門), from where they would change boats once again to cross the river into Tainan. After a long and difficult trek, the exhausted officials would finally find themselves in their home away from home; alternatively other officials would wait here to start their journey back to the mainland with a sense of wistfulness or reluctance. Within this context, there a number of places nearby where officials were welcomed or bid farewell to: the Official Reception Stone Arch (接官亭), which was used during Qing times by civil and military officials. The Official Reception Stone Arch in front of the God of Wind (Feng Shen) Temple (風神廟) is of a granite construction, and the front and rear have gorgeous carved reliefs of legendary giant fish and mythical sea turtles which are worth a look.