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  • This is Xiaying's Shangdi Temple,

  • known for worshiping Xian Tian Shang Di,

  • who is also known for destroying evil.

  • You can actually trace the history of this temple

  • all the way back to 1661 during Ming Dynasty.

  • It is the oldest temple for worshiping Xian Tian Shang Di in Taiwan.

  • This temple is the most recognizable center in Xiaying.

  • And not only is this a religious center,

  • but also a social center

  • for people to hang out and have fun in Xiaying.

  • Let's go inside and find out what's in there.

  • The history of this temple is over 357 years old.

  • In 1661, Koxinga arrived in Tainan from Lu Er Men.

  • One of his generals, Liu Guo-syuan,

  • brought the spirit of Xian Tian Shang Di here to Xiaying.

  • It wasn't until 1983 that we built a temple here,

  • The temple is divided into many sections,

  • collectively called Xiaying's Shangdi Temple.

  • One hundred years!

  • He's telling me that these were actually

  • all made from paper

  • and made over a hundred years ago.

  • These are special clothes designed for the Gods to wear.

  • Are these from the previous temple?

  • Yes, from the old temple.

  • These are just some small ornaments

  • from previous temples before the construction,

  • so they saved some pieces and keep them here.

  • The century-old Shangdi Temple

  • has gone through various renovations and expansions.

  • Unfortunately, it's also under construction at the moment.

  • But through this process,

  • we are able to see history preserved as it was.

  • Located near the Shangdi Temple,

  • Wu Cheng-en Park covers a large area of land.

  • Because the park was funded and constructed by the temple owner,

  • it is closely related to Shangdi Temple.

  • The locals believe that Xian Tian Shang Di

  • steps on turtles with his left foot,

  • and snakes with his right foot.

  • Thus turtles and snakes

  • are ride and envoy of the Xian Tian Shang Di.

  • That is why many believers leave their turtles here at this pond.

  • Today, this park is an ecological conservation area for turtles.

  • Maybe you can find the envoy of Xian Tian Shang Di here.

  • Further down the road

  • stands a big mansion covering an area of over 990 m2.

  • It is a fusion of Chinese three-sided courtyard house

  • and Western architecture.

  • The nameplate reads: "Hai Qian Ben Jia."

  • What on earth is this place?

  • This building was built in 1958.

  • Wow that's 50 to 60 years.

  • Yes, 50 to 60 years.

  • In Tainan, it is uncommon to see a northern styled building

  • standing together with a southern styled building

  • on your right hand side.

  • Mr. Tseng Po-ren(who first built the house)

  • had ever worked in the government.

  • So his descendent carved the symbol of his position into the roof.

  • In Taiwan, red means good fortune.

  • At one point there were many families living here.

  • He hoped that red would bring more prosperity.

  • So he used the red color as the main theme.

  • All the red doors you see here,

  • all of them, including windows, added up to 51.

  • All of these are hundred-year-old Taiwanese timber.

  • If a door or window is broken,

  • we would turn it into a table.

  • We truly want this old house to come alive and reborn.

  • Hai Qianactually means the coast.

  • When Koxinga first came to Taiwan,

  • he set up many military bases along the coast.

  • AndHai Qian Campis the old name of Xiaying District.

  • This building behind me is actually over 50 years old

  • and used to belong to the Tseng family in Xiaying.

  • Now it is a recreational center and a tourist spot

  • for everyone to come and enjoy,

  • and also to soak in the history of Xiaying District.

  • 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.