Placeholder Image

Subtitles section Play video

  • Born in Hongmaocuo of Xiaying,

  • Yen Shui-long was a forerunner of Taiwan's oil painting

  • and a representative oil painting artist from Tainan.

  • After Yen passed away in 1997,

  • a memorial park was dedicated to him for his life-long contribution

  • to public art and fine arts.

  • Right after walking here,

  • you can see the statue of Mr. Yen Shui-Long,

  • sitting and contemplating on his chair.

  • In this memorial hall,

  • you can also find hisstory and artworks during his lifetime.

  • On my right, behind me, what's worth mentioning is that

  • this is a Min-styled Yen Family Temple

  • which you can also take a look.

  • If you want to learn about early Taiwan's contemporary artist,

  • this is the right place to come.

  • This Yen Family Temple was built all the way back in 1770

  • by six Yen brothers

  • who came here from Yongkang, Tainan as pioneers.

  • Five of the brothers lived in Jiajhong, next to this town.

  • The eldest brother, Yuwen stayed behind.

  • Since he missed his hometown and ancestors,

  • he built a cottage from straw for worship.

  • As the years went by,

  • the cottage became a bamboo altar and later a brick temple.

  • It wasn't until 1933

  • that the building expanded to the size as you see today.

  • Rarely do you see this kind of design, color, and stone.

  • The four characters saysYen Family Temple,”

  • using the font

  • created by an ancient Chinese calligrapher Yen Zhen-qing.

  • Yen Shui-long is an artist praised nationwide.

  • I discovered that he is also

  • an important driving force of Taiwanese handcrafts.

  • Work conducted a few decades ago

  • still looks very fitting today.

  • That's why we call it an artwork with a story.

  • Also, he touches hearts with his artworks.

  • So, we can easily understand his thoughts.

  • This wall is a replica of a mosaic artwork in Taipei Yuan Shan Park.

  • It actually is the evolution of Taiwan

  • from the agricultural times to today's world.

  • So it's also a good place for kids to learn here.

  • This park is very quiet.

  • It makes me feel calm.

  • After learning about the life of Mr. Yen, Shui-long,

  • I feel more related to his works and his life

  • than I ever thought I would be.

  • It's very insightful to learn about the stories behind his works.

  • So if you ever have the opportunity,

  • definitely find time to come here.

  • Right now, I'm here in this quiet alley of Xiaying District.

  • All the busy hustle bustle from the other street

  • are all gone and isolated now.

  • I'm actually surrounded by a lot of traditional brick houses

  • and also alley is full of street art.

  • So follow me!

  • These black beans behind me, Oh-dou-Ah,

  • are actually the mascot of Xiaying.

  • Although they are not as popular as

  • other cartoon characters in this alley,

  • actually I feel closer and more related to them,

  • because they represent the hospitality

  • and the passion of the people around here.

  • And I would say, Xiaying actually has more than three treasures,

  • and they're all waiting here for you to explore!

  • due to its historical significance.

  • So next time if you come to Sicao,

  • don't miss this artillery fort.

  • Those who love cycling in Tainan,

  • all know the Shanhai Canal Greenway.

  • The scenery here is beautiful.

  • But where does the path start?

  • Let me check it out with our docent today, Zhi-zhong.

  • What is the best way to experience

  • or enjoy this the Shanhai Canal Greenway?

  • First, let me introduce you the Shanhai Canal Greenway.

  • It is a cycling path

  • built along Chianan Canalestablished by Yoichi Hatta,

  • and starting from Wushantou Reservoir.

  • The Shanhai Canal Greenway is about 45 kilometers in length.

  • It's not only a historical and cultural sight,

  • but also a river ecosystem.

  • About 15 kilometers of the greenway is situated in Annan District.

  • It's designated the bike lane

  • to ensure the safety of cyclists.

  • The greenway starts from a Chinese tallow tree tunnel

  • around the National Museum of Taiwan History.

  • Trees such as Sea hibiscus, Madagascar almond,

  • Indian almond, and Chinaberry can be found along the greenway,

  • and they provide shades for cyclists.

  • Hsuan-hui, let me show you around.

  • In fact, one of the best thing about here is that,

  • when you come here to the Shanhai Canal Greenway ,

  • you don't even have to bring your own bicycle,

  • you can just rent the T-bike, and you can be on your way.

  • Let's go.

  • The viewing platform overlooks Sicao Bridge and Sicao lake

  • and gives you the chance to see the incredible sunset.

  • The greenway is both significant in its cultural and ecological values.

  • When it comes to salt fields,

  • Cigu or Jingzaijiao may come to your mind.

  • In fact, there's a salt field eco-culture village in Annan District.

  • So, what's the best way to visit this wonderful place?

  • Here, you may experience activities related to salt

  • and also understand the process of how salt is made.

  • In addition to having a try on washing salt field,

  • tourists can visit some of the historical architectures

  • built for the salt production business.

  • The docents here will show you around

  • the ecosystem, traditional beliefs and cultures of this area.

  • Hsuan-hui, we are standing by a crystallization pond

  • in a tile-paved salt field.

  • This pond is called iăm-gēh-à in Hokklo.

  • Now they are washing the iăm-gēh-à (Hokklo).

  • The salt evaporation pond has to be washed every time

  • a pile salt is harvested

  • so that there will be no impurities in the salt.

  • This circle next to the crystallization pond is a brine storage pond

  • called ĭn-gon-à in Hokklo.

  • So you see, this kind of work really depends a lot on the weather.

  • And you see, when it rains, the salt will be gone.

  • But the ancestors had a very good solution to it.

  • You see,

  • here right behind me!

  • When it rains,

  • they can put all dried salt in it again,

  • so that the dried salt would not be gone.

  • Hsuan-hui, let's go try shoving and picking salt!

  • Now, I've changed my rain boots,

  • and now we're going to try to shove salt.

  • Let's go!

  • Wow, it really takes a lot of hard work.

  • After shoving just a few minutes,

  • I'm totally worn out.

  • The salt filed eco-culture village

  • displays many daily necessities you would find in early salt villages.

  • So here at Anshun Salt Factory,

  • you can really learn a lot about salt culture.

  • And what's more important is

  • to experience how to make salt and how to dry them up.

  • We're now here at Luermen,

  • and this is where the entry point was in the past.

  • When people want to enter Taiwan or exit Taiwan,

  • they can park their ships over here in this harbor.

  • Here, a lot of business people would do some trading.

  • Like they would import stuff into Taiwan.

  • Or they can export some Taiwanese stuff to foreign countries.

  • And this is why a lot of people call here,

  • Luermen, as the door of Taiwan.

  • There is a path along the Luermen River.

  • It's a good place to take a walk

  • and enjoy sea breeze.

  • We're now here at Luermenatzu Temple

  • Before we enter the temple,

  • let's take a walk around the tour sites around the temple.

  • Just behind me, there is a park with

  • beautiful plants, trees, and flowers,

  • where you can take a walk and take a rest.

  • So, let's check it out

  • This is Mr. Yo,

  • Hi, Mr. Yo.

  • So what is the best way to visit Luermenatzu Temple?

  • I can show you around.

  • Okay!

  • First, I would recommend you to appreciate the Dashanmen.

  • And then the architecture of our temple.

  • These are all carved beams and painted pillars.

  • They are worth paying a visit.

  • What's also worth mentioning

  • is the cultural and creative products made by Luermen Matzu Temple.

  • The design of lucky charms varies from temple to temple.