Many people’s impression of Si Dian Wu Temple(祀典武廟) is its Double Saddle Roof and red wall. It is one of the finest temples of Tainan. Built around 1665, it was the earliest Guan Di Temple(關帝廟)and one of the government sacrificial rites temples built at the time. It enshrines the awe-inspiring Guan Sheng Di Jun (關聖帝君).

Historical records show that when the Qing forces led by Shi Lan attacked Taiwan, Zhu Shi-gui, Ming dynasty Prince of Ningjing, resolved to die for his country; his five concubines decided to die too and hanged themselves from a beam in the palace. After they died, Zhu Shu-gui personally buried them and then committed suicide. Wufei Temple was built in 1683. It is a single courtyard and two-wing style building and has a small shrine at the side, Yi Ling Jun Tomb(義靈君墓), that enshrines two servants who died alongside the concubines.

Grand Mazu Temple was originally the Prince Ning Jing‘s Mansion(寧靖王朱術桂府邸). In 1683 Shi Lang led his army across the sea to Taiwan and defeated Zheng Ke-shuang. Afterwards, in order to win the hearts of the people, the Qing court converted the Ning Jing Mansion into a temple worshipping Mazu. It was the first government-established Matsu temple in Taiwan.

Located on Shennong Street(神農街), Jinhua Temple(金華府) was built in 1830, it is said by a man named Hsu of one of the five clans of the Five Channels, and it is also the guardian temple of the Xu family. It enshrines Guan Sheng Di Jun and two wangye (Royal Lords), Ma and Li. Not many temples have “fu”(mansion/palace) in their name like this one.

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 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.

Built in 1739, the God of Wind (Feng Shen) Temple (風神廟) is the only temple in Taiwan dedicated to the God of Wind, and is one of Tainan’s famous shrines and temples. The main god of worship is the God of Wind, but on the left and right hand sides the God of Wind is flanked by the green God of Water (水神) and red God of Fire (火神). Further to the left side is Lei Gong (雷公), the God of Thunder, and to the right side is Dian Mu, the Goddess of Lightning (電母).

Chen De-Jiu Family Hall(陳德聚堂) was built in 1644. It is now the largest Chen family ancestral hall in Taiwan and currently houses the Tainan Guide Association.