Rush along busy Qingnian Road in the center of Tainan and you may well miss the Taiwanfu Chenghuan Temple, one of the sightseeing highlights in the city. The eye-catching temple, also known as Taiwan Fu City God Temple, has been integrated into the concrete city center, making it an unusual old sight on an otherwise modernized road. Take a break from the constant action of this lively city to discover one of the most important and colorful religious sights in Tainan. The temple also contains a small museum that focuses on the beliefs associated with the city god.
Every city in Taiwan has a temple dedicated to that city’s god, where politicians are meant to pray before taking office. Take some time to explore what is said to be the oldest city god temple in all of Taiwan, with records of its existence as early as the 1660s.
Marvel at the colorful exterior of the temple before entering. A terracotta roof is embellished with green dragons and deities dressed in blue, red and yellow.
Before entering, look up at the wooden sign with bold, golden lettering. The inscription says “your turn finally” which adds to the solemnity of your visit.
The interior of the temple is designed like a traditional courthouse to reflect the idea of the god judging people. Explore the dimly lit main hall and look for the ornate statue of Duke Wei Ning, the main god of the temple. The hall also features a row of attendant deities who have duties that reflect different governmental departments.
A small museum in one of the western rooms features some fascinating artifacts relating to Tainan’s deity. Stop to admire a giant red abacus, used by the city god to calculate the good and bad deeds of Tainan’s people. The museum also displays stone tablets from the temple’s renovation in 1777.
The Taiwanfu Chenghuan Temple is hidden in the bustle of West Central district. Take a bus to one of the adjacent streets and walk along a busy road to find this landmark. Visit on any day of the week and enter this place of worship for free.
