“Guanmaio” received its name due to worship of Emperor Guan. The three-centuries old Shanxi Temple is the head temple for the whole region. Local people usually go and buy their food from the Guanmiao Market because it is near Shanxi Temple. Guanmiao was once a very affluent area due its rattan manufacturing so all of the nearby townships used to buy their goods from Guanmiao Market.
Shinguang Village in the Guanmiao District of Tainan City was once an ordinary old village. Eye-catching wall paintings by illustrators now line the 400m length of Beiliao Old Street and have breathed new life into an old farming community. The colorful paintings tend towards realism and a country style. They include detailed landscapes, black & white inkwash paintings, realist characters, and animal illustrations. There are also paintings depicting temple parades and markets as well as everyday scenes that complement the local ambiance.
One of Eight Historic Scenic Spots in Taiwan "Xiangyang Spring Scenery"
The lake, formerly known as "Bi-Yi-Tan"(弼衣潭), used to irrigate a large area of rice paddies and was the largest pond in Guanmiao District. The tranquil lake reflects the blue sky and white clouds, while the large ears of green rice paddies surrounding it swerving with the wind as farmers work hard in the fields. The beauty is so resonating that Datanpi Lake was listed as one of the eight scenic spots in Taiwan in the Qing Dynasty, and given the name " Xiangyang Spring Scenery ".
Datanpi Wanglai Park
Chiefsun Puti Temple(千佛山菩提寺)is located in the mountains on Guanmiao. It has a large pond in front in which the whole temple is reflected upside down to stunning effect. On the mountain top stand Taiwan’ tallest Sakyamuni statue(釋迦牟尼佛像) and Taiwan’s first Diamond Sutra stupa(金剛經佛塔). The Buddha statue’s lotus base has the only lotus base secret altar in Taiwan in which 990 Sakyamuni statues are embedded. This is why Chiefsun is called ‘1000 Buddha Mountain’. Puti Temple was founded in 1969.
Shanxi Temple dates back to the time of Koxinga in the Ming Dynasty (1628~1683). It took on its current appearance after being rebuilt a number of times over the years. The temple has a solid north China architectural style, a large square and magnificent arch, and features paintings by famed temple painter Pan Li-shui. The jianjiao sacrificial ceremony held every 12 years is its biggest ceremony. The temple has attracted much attention in recent years after Major League Baseball pitcher Wang Chien-ming, a native of Guanmiao, worshipped there.
Nan Yi Golf and Country Club has an 18-hole international standard golf course. Designed by a renowned Japanese course architect, Mr. Watanabe Hiroshi(渡邊弘先生), it is one of the best courses in southern Taiwan. Both competitive and social in character, the aim is to provide an environment for players to not just socialize and exercise, but also to allow them to enjoy the fun of competition.
