As the eighth national park in Taiwan, the Taijiang Ecological Cultural Park is an environmental education repository rich in wetland ecology. The vibrancy of Taijiang comes not only from the nourishment of mangroves and the annual migration of migratory birds, but also from the historical traces of ancient battlefields and the culture of the fishing and salt industry. The Taijiang area is always ready to share its present and past heritage and welcome visitors with open arms.
Weaving through the Green Tunnel of Sicao
Riding on the raft, the breeze caressing cheeks as the raft slowly moved forward. The mangrove forest overlapping in front of your eyes is the Sicao Green Tunnel, also known as the “Little Amazon of Taiwan”. Looking up, you can see warm light peeking out from the gaps in between the green foliage. Looking in the direction of the light, you can see the calm but reflective water surface of another dimension. Occasionally, the light of the waves is a sign that the residents, such as mudskippers and tide crabs, are coming out to greet visitors. When visitors reach the end of the tunnel, they still look back reluctantly, reminiscing about the tranquility of the city's secret green paradise.
Marshal of the Sea: Sicao Dazhong Temple
The main deity worshipped at Sicao Temple is "Marshal of the Sea", also called Chen You. Marshal Chen was so brave and loyal that the Qianlong Emperor consecrated him as the Marshal of the Sea, to be venerated at the Dazhong Temple, so he is also known as Grand Master Dazhong, the first person to become a deity in Taiwan. It is said that the temple was built in the 39th year of Kangxi reign (circa. 1700AD), and it is the center of faith of Sicao in Annan District, where it also adds a strong cultural prestige to the Taijiang area.
Sicao Fortress: The Bastion of an Ancient Coastal Town
During the Opium Wars, Yao Ying, the circuit intendant of Taiwan , commissioned 17 forts to defend the Anping and Taijiang areas, and Sicao Fortress was one of them, changing from a temporary fortress pier to an outer wall made of granite and an inner wall made of cobblestones. The wall of the fort had 13 gun holes. The fortress now sits adjacent to Zhenhai Elementary School, and the banyan tree is hidden in the corner of the school as the boundary wall.
Tainan City Tainan Salt Pan Eco-village
In the early years, the Anshun Salt Field was the first salt production base in Taiwan. After the salt industry ceased production, it was promoted and renovated by the government and cultural historians, and transformed into the present-day Salt Pan Eco-village. Seasoned salt field workers were invited to return, and develop the place into a hotspot of salt-themed tourism. The government has provided guidance to local residents and conservation groups in planning eco-tourism. Visitors can take a tube raft cruises along the Taijiang River, experience fishing village aquaculture, and visit the ancient battlefield in northern Shanwei. So, embark on a journey where the crystals glisten in the sunlight and an immersive journey of salt can be had.
Taijiang National Park Service Administration Center (Visitor Center)
The Administration Center is located in the Sicao aquaculture area, and is designed with a white high-rise building, preserving the original landscape and linking the fish farms with the Chianan Canal water system, providing a quality habitat for fish, shrimp and shellfish in the national park. The unique architectural shape of "Taijiang Island" is a microcosm of the history and culture of Taijiang, and the many design ingenuities have made this place a must-see photography hotspot in Tainan. The Visitor Center provides video viewing, tour information, and guided tours, making it a must-visit first stop before touring the park.
Crystal white salt fields shine in the sunlight, migratory birds from far away are hovering in the sky, and sitting on the pipe raft exploring the surprise brought by sunshine penetrating the densely growing mangroves, children are joyously enjoying the fisherman’s lifestyle. This is the Taijiang Ecological Culture Zone.
Ecologically, the wetland with the most coastal ecological resources is located in Taijiang. Besides the thick mangrove, there is a rare wonder called the “Green Tunnel” interwoven with the mangrove. In recent years, Sicao Dazhong Temple and the Mangrove Protection Association have arranged the mangrove fishing raft tour from the Sicao Dazhong Temple to the north bank of the Sicao Bridge for visitors to experience and explore the beauty of the mangrove. The fish, shrimps, shellfish, and benthos in the wetland also attract various types of migratory birds to forage in the zone, including common guests like sandpipers, gulls, herons, ducks and geese, and even the rare guest black-faced spoonbills.
Broadly speaking, the range of the Taijiang Ecological Culture Zone covers the Zhengwen River estuary in the north, including the Orthodox Luermen Shengu (Mazu)Temple and the Luermen Matsu Temple, the two major Matsu temples in Tainan City, bordering the Provincial Highway No. 17; the western part of Annan District, including the Sicao Wildlife Refuge, Taiwan Salt-Pan Eco-Village, Luermen River Ancient Trail (landing site of Cheng-king ZHENG), and the ancient battlefield between Cheng-king ZHENG and the Dutch. In zone A3 near the Sicao Wildlife Refuge, apart from the astonishing windbreak, there are comprehensive water park facilities built by the Chengxi Incineration Plant to benefit local citizens. In summer, these facilities are very popular. Integrating ecological education and historical sights, the Taijiang Ecological Culture Zone is an ideal spot for family eco-tour.-->
