West Central Dist.

The Former Tainan Meteorological Station(原台南測候所) has an important position in the hearts of Tainan locals. It is located on what was the highest point in the center of the city, on a hill at 14 meters elevation. Due to its appearance, it was nicknamed “pepper pot” by locals; as it also has an unusual 18 radii roof, it was also called “18 angle building” It is located in front of the Southern Region Weather Center of the Central Weather Bureau and stands out in between two modern buildings.

The Taiwanfu Cheng Huang (City God) Temple (臺灣府城隍廟) is a Taoist temple dedicated to Cheng Huang (City God), and is located on Qingnian Road (青年路) in West Central district (中西區). It is a nationally designated historical site as well as a famous example of a Taiwanese Cheng Huang (City God) Temple. In 1669, the temple was built in the Dong An Fang (東安坊) e area. This is Taiwan’s oldest Cheng Huang (City God) Temple, and in the main hall of the temple is a large abacus, which was offered as a gift by believer Chen Jiangshan (陳江山) in 1937.

The Dui Yue Gate (兌悅門), built in 1836, commonly known as the Coral Stone Gate (咾咕石城門), is located on Xinyi Street (信義街), and is the only city gate in the district still in use. Xinyi Street used to be called Coral Stone Street, as the area outside the gate was full of waterways where boats used coral stones as ballast.Tainan once had 14 city gates, and while this gate is no longer as important as it once was, it is the only gate that people still walk through.

Built in 1912, the Former Tainan District Court (原台南地方法院) features spectacular columns and a round, baroque style roof. Inside, you can see the magnificent and naturally lit dome, and the large columns are beautifully carved. The exquisite floor, with its colorful Victorian style geometric floor tiles, was created by Mariyama Matsunosuke(森山松之助). The court still retains the courtroom, archive room, safe room and a jail. There was originally a tower, which had to be demolished due to serious structural damage, but a tower art installation has been installed to commemorate it.

The Zheng Ancestral Shrine (鄭氏家廟)was built in 1663 by Zheng Jing, oldest son of Koxinga. It enshrines his father Koxinga and mother Concubine Dong. In recent years the outer wall has been removed, taking away the barrier between the path and road, allowing easier access for tourists. This shrine is another important place for learning about Koxinga in Tainan aside from Koxinga Shrine. The Main Hall enshrines Koxinga’s ancestors in China and overseas and his wife’s spirit tablet.

Every year on January 9th, on the birthday of the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝), a trip to Tiangong Temple (天公廟) has become a ritual adhered to by many Tainan residents. Crowds of people follow a path inside the temple running from the Ying Liaoli Pavilion (鶯料理亭) to the front of the Meteorological Building (氣象館) on Gongyuan Road (公園路). The Temple of Heaven (Tiangong Temple) was built in 1854, and according to legend was established in honor of Koxinga (鄭成功).

Built in 1693, Dongyue Temple(東嶽殿) is one of the renowned seven Buddhist temples and eight Taoist shrines of Tainan. It enshrines Dong Yue Da Di who, together with Chenghuang Ye (City God) of Chenghuang Temple on Qingnian Road nearby, is in charge of the Netherworld. The temple acquired its current appearance after being rebuilt on a number of occasions and losing the Worship Hall which was demolished to make way for road widening. However, as the materials from the demolished part were, as much as possible, used in building the current temple, it looks very much like it did originally.

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.

Zhonggan Temple(總趕宮)was built around 1704. As travel between Taiwan and China depended on ships then, the custom of praying to a protector god of shipping developed. Zhonggan Temple enshrines Ni Sheng Gong(倪聖公), known as Chief Ni. While alive, he lived on the coast and was familiar with navigation routes. As a god, he is in charge of protecting shipping in the Taijiang Inner Sea and is a god unique to Tainan. It is said that Chief Ni is the only god who knows how to sail a ship.

Kaiji Ling You Temple(開基靈祐宮)was built in 1665 and enshrines Xuan Tian Shang Di (Dark Heavenly Highest Deity.) Inside, there is the only gold-faced statue of Xuan Tian Shang Di in Taiwan. Due to being established before other temples, it is called “kaiji”, meaning founding. As Xuan Tian Shang Di represents the God of the North, north belongs to the element water and the representative color is black, Ling You Temple features a large number of black pillars and red beams.