Tainan Confucius Temple, ChiMei Museum, Tainan, Taiwan (台南孔廟 奇美博物館)

 

  Tainan Confucius Temple is the first Confucius Temple in Taiwan.

 

      The Temple, built in Ming Dynasty, was once a place to spread the idea of Confucianism. Now people come here to worship Confucianism.

 

A street with some stores is right across from the temple.



 
     The vendor teaches customers how to make the famous Tainan snack, Hollow cake.

 
     Yes, the center of the snack is hollow. Hollow cake used to be wealthy people's snack, but nowadays everyone can afford it.

 

      This is one of the reasons why I come to Tainan: ChiMei Museum.   

 

       The splendid and magnificant European architecture has drwan so many visitors to ChiMei Museum. Unfortunately, it is not allowed to take photos inside the museum. If you have the chance  to go to Tainan, please remember to visit this museum. It impresses people in many ways!   

      ChiMei Museum: http://www.chimeimuseum.org/ml/English/3

Chihkan Tower, Grand Matsu Temple, Tainan, Taiwan (台南赤崁樓 大天后宮)

Don't miss the must-see,Chihkan Tower, in Tainan.

      It was built in 1653 during the Dutch colonization of Taiwan, and now is an important asset in Taiwan. It is worth visiting this place.

      Grand Matsu Temple  is a temple to the Chinese sea goddess Matsu. It has a long history, and therefore is designated as level one ancient monument by Twainese government.

      You can donate  some money and get the beaded bracelet. It is said that the sea goddess, Matsu, will protect you if you wear the bracelet on your hand.

      Beautiful calligraphy is posted on the wall.

      Just outside the temple, some streets are ready for you to explore. Some interesting stores remind you of the old days, and make you smile when thinking about the old good days. The following is a tea store.  

      This is an incense store.

     The alley walls are covered with graffiti.

     Here is my funny daughter.

      Another 2 temples can be seen in this district.

      According to my friends, we happen to eat Taiwanese meatballs at a very popular Taiwanese meatball store.

     As long as there is a temple, people will gather naturally, and of course a variety of stores will exit on the streets.    

      After 10-minute scooter ride, we arrive at Hayashi Department Store. Built in 1932, it is a historical, modern and elegent departemet store.

Anping Tree House and Former Tait & Co, Tainan, Taiwan (台南安平樹屋 原英商德記洋行)

 

 My Tainan trip starts with Aping District.

 

      Anping Tree House is a combination of nature and man-made stuctures.

      It used to be a warehouse of Tait & Co. After abandoned for many years, a huge banyan tree has grown into countless branches. Actually, I cannot tell they are branches or roots. They have occupied the roof, the walls, and taken over the warehouse.

      Tait & Co, next to Anping Tree House, was one of the top five trading companies in Anping area during the period of Japanese colonization.

      From the magnificent building, you can imagine how prosperous and busy this trading company was.

     
      There are some tourist spots to go in Anping area. You can walk to the old street from Anping Tree House. Roaming the street is a very relaxing way to see this area. An Mutsu Temple, located in the old street, is also a great place to know Taiwanese religion.

Taipei Confucius Temple (台北孔廟)

 

The master said: The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived (知者樂水，仁者樂山。知者動，仁者靜，知者樂，仁者壽). The above is one of my favorite quotes by Confucius.

      Confucius, a Chinese social philosopher, has a profound influence on Chinese. In Taiwan, we pick Confucius's birthday, September 28th, as our Teachers' Day in order to honor this great master.

      Taipei Confucius Temple is a quiet place. When people visit this place, they usually do not speak loudly. The whole atmosphere is very peaceful and quiet. No one wants to spoil the peace and slow pace.

      It is also a tourist spot, and only takes 10-minute walk from Yuanshan MRT Station to here. Besides, it and its neighbor, Bao'an Temple, form this neighborhood a cultural and historical district.

 
      Very often students practice the traditional Chinese instruments in front of the main temple building, and then perform the music at this same spot on Teacher's Day. It is interesting, isn't it?

http://www.ct.taipei.gov.tw/en-us/Home.htm

Taipei Children's Amusement Park (兒童新樂園)

Of couses, kids love amusement parks!

      Taipei Children's Amusement Park is not big, but it has pretty much everything an amusement park should have. 

       My 5-year-old daughter's favorite is Ocean Carousel. She always asks for a ride when we go there.

    If you love spinning, Spinning Tea Cups is your best choice.

     The sandpit is occupied by only two kids, which is really rarely seen at this amusement park. Most of the time, especially on the weekends, the sandpit is packed with kids.

     One of the amazing spots at this amusement park is Indoor Playground. It opens hourly. You can sign up for the hourly sessions through the APP of the amusement park, or the machines close to Indoor Playground. They also let kids in when it is not full. Kids can climb up an down, play balls, slide, etc.

      Also, you can go to the food court, 7-eleven, or the restaurants if you get hungry. For me, it is a very good place for kids to burn off their energy.

http://english.tcap.taipei/