Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
only meant to be temporary - 300 years ago! There's a famous
Yī
(One) inscription over
the altar signifying that there is only one true way for heaven and earth: humanity and
righteousness.
Anping
The western district of Anping (Ānpíng) has one of the most interesting concentrations
of relics and temples in southern Taiwan. The centre of Anping is the intersection of An-
ping Rd and Gubao St. Buses from central Tainan (bus 2 or 88) stop just west of here
across from the square in front of the Anping Matsu Temple. This is a good place to start
your explorations.
History
When the Dutch established their colony on Taiwan, they built their first fort and com-
mercial centre here in Anping. Anping was a very different harbour back then, being part
of a giant inland sea called Taijiang (now the name of the eighth national park). But silt-
ing has always been a major problem for western seaports and in 1822 most of Taijiang
was filled in.
In 1858 the Tianjin Treaty opened Anping to Western powers and their business in-
terests, something that's readily apparent in the number of old merchant houses about
town. By the early 20th century, however, continued silting had made Anping lose almost
all function as a workable harbour.
Former Tait & Co Merchant House and Anping Tree House
HISTORIC BUILDING
(Déjì Yángháng Jì Ānpíng Shùwū; Gubao St; admission NT$50; 8.30am-6pm)
The merchant
house was built in 1867 and holds a permanent exhibit of household artefacts from the
17th century. Through a series of decorated rooms, the exhibit highlights the lifestyle of
Dutch, Chinese and aboriginal families.
But nobody comes for that. Instead, it's the
Anping Tree House
(Ānpíng Shùwū) that
draws in the curious with its massive banyan strangling the gutted roofless walls of the
back quarters.
Both houses are up Gubao St and behind the primary-school grounds.
Anping Matsu Temple
TAOIST TEMPLE
(Ānpíng Tiānhòu Gōng; 33 Guosheng Rd)
This temple is one of many claiming status as the
oldest in Taiwan. Its interior is more elaborately decorated than most in central Tainan,
and features a splendidly ornate and deep plafond (decorative ceiling) above the main
