宗教廟宇

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.

Wushan( Wu Mountain;烏山) in Nanhua Township (南化) is the dividing line between Tainan and Kaohsiung. Wushan Hiking Trail (烏山登山步道) runs approximately 12 kilometers from north to south, with a mix of steep and gentle slopes, and walking the entire length of the trail takes about 9 to 10 hours. The most popular section among hikers is behind Jinguangshan Hode Purple Bamboo Temple (金光山厚德紫竹寺). Many people come here very early in the morning.

Hsuan Kong Fa Temple(玄空法寺), located in Nanxi(楠西), covers a wide area. The temple's flower garden is especially beautiful, well known for its Taiwan white pine, tree fossils and unusual rock scenery. The forest path laid by the temple's own masters - The Trail of Life - attracts many tourists. Not only is the 300~400 meter long trail the longest of its kind in Taiwan, it also boasts breathtaking scenery on both sides!

Yujing Beiji Temple(玉井北極殿) was built in 1717. The local people donated the funds to build a temple after Xuan Tian Shang Di (Dark Heavenly Highest Deity) warned them in a dream about a flood, allowing them to flee.

The expansive Karma Kagyu Monastery (噶瑪噶居寺) is the first White Sect Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Taiwan. Built in 1986, the temple displays a blend of Han and Tibetan cultures. As you approach the temple, the aroma of cassia flowers floating over the grass makes tourists unconsciously relax their body and mind.

Luo Lai-shou Memorial Hall(羅來受紀念館)is located inside Zuozhen District’s tallest building, Zuozhen Presbyterian Church(左鎮教會).The Hall can be seen from the side of the church. Luo was a church elder who made a great contribution both to the church and local people for many years; his efforts were recognized with the Hall’s establishment after he passed away.

Cilian Temple(慈蓮寺) is surrounded by mountains and close to the chalk soil Moon World. It has a tranquil beauty reminiscent of the scenery of Little Guilin(小桂林) when shrouded in mist in the early morning; combined with the blue colored glass tiles and white arch at the entrance, it has a calming effect on people imperceptibly. The solemn atmosphere and imposing grandeur of the temple attract an increasing number of worshippers. Many faithful believers who have the habit of exercising in the early morning attend pre-dawn morning class here and then take a walk along Ganglin into Moon World.

Built in 1807, Xinhua Chaotian Temple(新化朝天宮) features in a few legendary stories. It is said that downtown Xinhua was once judged by fengshui experts to be a ba gua spider’s nest(八卦蜘蛛穴). When the temple was badly damaged in an earthquake in 1862, the spider goblin took advantage to emerge and cause trouble by making the local women behave in a promiscuous way, greatly disturbing the local residents. Mazu instructed that the temple be rebuilt, then her statue was carried around the local area in a procession to drive away the spider goblin.

Dunyuan Society(敦源社) was a Chinese Studies society formed by scholars in the Xinfeng area of Tainan in 1883. In 1927, society members, poets and local gentry jointly raised funds for the building of a temple and cast a statue of Confucius to which sacrifices were offered. The temple was a privately built temple, not government-built. The Temple of Confucius is a classical building with a swallowtail roof. In its grounds stand a large number of old longan trees.