Tainan Travel: Shuijiaoshe Cultural Park

Shuijiaoshe Cultural Park (水交社文化園區)

The former Japanese-style dormitory area of Shuijiao Co., Ltd. once served as the residence for officers and soldiers of the Tainan Naval Air Force stationed at Tainan Airport during the Japanese occupation. After the National Government relocated to Taiwan, the Shuijiaoshe was taken over by the Aviation Committee, the predecessor of the Air Force Headquarters, and became the base for the 443 Tactical Fighter Wing. Additional housing facilities were then constructed to accommodate military personnel and their dependents in Shueijiaoshe.

In 2004, the Tainan City Government designated the area as a historic site known as the "Primary Dormitory Area of Shueijiaoshe and the Cultural Landscape," recognizing its importance in preserving the cultural assets of military housing communities in Tainan. Subsequently, the "Shuijiaoshe Cultural Park" was established on the original site, featuring eight theme pavilions. The park officially opened on December 25, 2019.

The price of a full ticket is 100NT.

Literature Salon

The literature of the military community is a consequence of historical changes. People, and their descendants, who moved to Taiwan to escape wars, created a unique perspective in the history of Taiwanese literature. Writers wrote about life in the military communities and incorporated their feelings and detailed observations. A variety of works by different writers about moments in military communities flourished.

Theme Hall

Titled "Gazing from the Sky," the curator has attempted to highlight a distinctive, time-travel viewpoint of a migrant city to reflect the hometown memories and life experiences of the locals and respond to the emotional dialogues of contemporary urban life. The artists invited former residents to participate in a series of workshops about memories. These participants had lived in the military community in its earliest years but had then moved away. Through various media such as photography, architecture, film, food, and literature, the artists hoped to unveil the historical background of the space used by the Japanese Navy Air Squadron and as accommodation for the R.o.C. Air Force. The exhibition includes 5 animations, 14 house models, and 20 video installations of interviews, employing the entire space as its projection screen to break the conventions of static and miniature displays and lead visitors as they walk through different time and space.

Exhibition Space

The Exhibition Space presents memories and life stories spanning three generations in Shueijiaoshe while celebrating the good old days and commemorating the years that were spent together, cherished, and missed. The memories still linger in our minds. For those who share these nostalgic sentiments and wish to realize their dreams, let us become immersed in and reconsider the history. Through immortal legends and the reminiscences of forever-young memories, we shall re-embrace the beauty and charm of Shueijiaoshe.

Aviation Playground

The happiest memories for most children in the military community were playtimes with siblings and friends in the neighborhood. Integrating the historical background of the military community for Thunder Tiger members in Shueijiaoshe, this part of the exhibition showcases both the visible and invisible cultural landscapes of the community. Through the participation of parents and children in the playground, childhood memories are created during their interaction with the environment in Shueijiaoshe. Together, parents and children can perceive, get involved with, and chat about this shared experience, extending the culture of the military community in Shueijiaoshe. This playground aims to create childhood memories within military communities based on interactive games and various aesthetic elements.

Special Exhibition Gallery

The Special Exhibition Gallery features art of different themes, which is changed on a regular basis. The opening exhibition featured creations by the artist Chen Po-i. Titled "Stories of Four Seasons," the exhibition includes photographs documenting the process of demolition in Shueijiaoshe. Through images of spring shoots, summer growth, autumn harvest, and winter storage of plants, as well as pictures of markets, old houses, and elderly residents, the artist has depicted the variations in the four seasons in Shueijiaoshe. Based on subordinate themes, including the after-taste of food, the light and shadows of plants, old marks from the past, and historical remains, Chen created an installation with physical materials, moving and still images to display the post-1949 Shueijiaoshe of local people's memories.

History Museum

The ancient name of Shueijiaoshe is "bucket basin." Located outside the South Gate of the Capital, the area was commonly known as a cemetery for Han people from the Ming to the Qing Dynasties. During the era of Japanese rule, the Japanese Navy Air Squadron was based on the site. Following the end of WWII, it was transformed into the military housing community for the RoC Air Force. In the History Museum, unearthed items are exhibited on the display walls and section models based on their location in the strata. A timeline and a map are also provided to construct a 3D art installation of the timeline.

AIR Tainan Hall

Since the 17th century, Taiwan has held an important position in the Asia-Pacific region. Douglas MacArthur, the renowned American soldier, described Taiwan, which was home to several US Air Force bases, as an "unsinkable aircraft carrier." This hall adopts "American Soldiers in Tainan" as its theme, portraying the history of American soldiers in Taiwan during the past thirty years. Through multimedia devices, projection mapping, and interactive installations, the hall provides visitors with a creative experience that combines new technology and culture.

Community Canteen

The military community symbolizes a collective memory spanning generations and is rooted in Taiwan through the settlement of members of the air force and their dependents from Mainland China. Residents in these military communities reminisce about the food from their hometowns. Noodle to Gather has created modern healthy meals with a fusion of nostalgic flavors, revitalizing memories of the past and creating new memories for the present-day military.

Address:

702台南市南區興中街118號水交社文化園區

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Tainan Travel: Madou Daitian Temple

Madou Datian Temple (麻豆 代天府)

Madou Datian Temple is a temple dedicated to the Five Kings (Wufu qiansui). It was constructed over a span of 10 years, starting in 1956, through the collaboration of renowned artisans from all over the country. The temple is known for its grand scale and features the country's first three-dimensional door god sculpture, entirely carved from camphor wood. Visitors to Madou District will be greeted by the sight of a massive dragon running across the temple buildings. The temple also offers installations for tourists to explore, such as the Heaven and Hell Crystal Palace. The sculptures of people, gods, and ghosts within the temple exhibit a classic style. The hell area resembles an early Taiwanese version of a haunted house, complete with nostalgic sound effects reminiscent of a 1980s Taiwanese theme park. One of the temple's latest attractions is a 35-meter slide with acrylic boards, which appeals to tourists of all ages.

According to legend, local residents initially worshipped at this location. However, due to changes in the local geography, the temple was forced to relocate. When the five kings of Southern Kunming and Huiluan were stationed in Madou, they oversaw the reconstruction of the temple at its current site.

Madouxiang is a significant religious event in the Madou region, taking place once every three years during the years of the Ox, Dragon, Sheep, and Dog, typically falling between March and April based on the old calendar.

The main temple follows the architectural style of Quanzhou. Its magnificent decoration and rich details reflect the profound religious experience and devotion of the believers. The temple's entrance features a three-dimensional door god sculpture, a rare sight in other temples, intricately carved from a large block of camphor wood.

Houyuan, the temple's courtyard, houses a colorful giant dragon, with a tail measuring 54 meters in length, standing 38 meters high, and an internal diameter of 5 meters. The temple also includes three gardens: the Heaven Garden, Hell Garden, and Crystal Palace Garden, which provide an educational experience for visitors.

Address: 

72146台南市麻豆區關帝廟60號麻豆代天府

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Tainan Travel: Winnie the Pooh Painted Village

Painted villages across Taiwan exhibit unique characteristics, and Tainan's Xiaying District, with its absence of high-rise buildings, exudes a simple and warm atmosphere reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh.

Xiaying District is situated on the Jianan Plain, characterized by flat terrain. The majority of residents are of southern Fujianese descent, with some minority indigenous people, foreigners, and new residents. The primary language spoken is Min Nan dialect, with Mandarin as a secondary language.

Archaeologists have discovered artifacts such as pottery jar mouths, blue-and-white porcelain, and large-scale Batu stones at the Youwuwei site within the district's jurisdiction. These findings suggest an age equivalent to the Wushantou site, dating back to approximately 800 BC to 500 BC. The "large-scale Batu" is a significant stone tool used by prehistoric inhabitants in Taiwan, also referred to as "Batu stoneware," "Batu," or "crown stone axe" by scholars. It holds the distinction of being the largest grinding stone tool used by humans in prehistoric Taiwan.

The Xilianli Xiliao site, a Silaya site, is the largest Pingpu site in Taiwan, spanning an area of approximately 3 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide. It dates back to around 800 AD and encompasses the pine culture and the Great Lakes culture. Numerous human remains, pottery rings, clay pots, bone tools, ornaments, glassware, ironware, and shell ornaments have been unearthed at this site, surpassing the quantity of artifacts found in preceding cultures.

During the Dutch colonial period, Xiaying District occupied a transitional zone between the inland and the sea. It served as the resettlement area for Xiao Ping Society, one of the four major groups within the Pingpu Xilaya community, and is presently encompassed by the Maogangwei Society.

Address:

735台南市下營區文化街小熊維尼彩繪村

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Tainan Travel: Xinhua ~ Old Street, Wude Hall and Japanese Dormitories

Last updated: 2022/12/13

Xin Hua Old Street (新化老街)

Xinhua Old Street was ranked first among the top ten historical buildings in Nanying and second among the top 100 historical buildings in Taiwan. Originally, it consisted of two old streets, Zhongzheng Road (West Side Street) and Zhongshan Road (Nanbian Street). The intersection of these two roads is called "Sanjiao Chung," which used to function as a post station for collecting goods from mountainous areas. The old street house on Zhongshan Road was widened in 1995 but was eventually demolished during the project, leaving only the old street houses on Zhongzheng Road. The street houses on both sides of the old street differ in age by approximately 17 years, showcasing the coexistence of two architectural styles.

During the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan, in 1920, the Xinhua County Office was established after the Tainan Prefecture. As part of an "urban correction" project, Zhongzheng Road was expanded from 6 meters to 12 meters. In 1921, Lin Maoji, a cloth merchant, spent 3,000 yuan to invite a craftsman nicknamed "躼佑 Shouzai" to construct a Western-style building (now No. 435 Zhongzheng Road), which inspired neighboring businesses to follow suit. Around 1926, the west side of present-day Zhongzheng Road underwent reconstruction into Western-style buildings. On the other hand, the street houses on the east side were demolished and rebuilt in 1937 during road widening and drainage ditch construction. The peasant association provided an interest-free loan of 2,000 yuan for the remodeling. Construction on the southern section of Dongbian Street (the street houses on the east side of Zhongzheng Road) began in 1928, and the Chaotian Palace, originally located there, was also forced to relocate to its current site. This reconstruction project involved 10 craftsmen from various locations, and it was completed around 1937.

In 1995, the Xinhua Township Office devised an urban reconstruction plan to widen Zhongshan Road from 12 meters to 15 meters, resulting in the demolition of the original street houses. However, Professor Wang Mingheng, an architecture professor at Cheng Kung University, spearheaded the preservation movement for old streets, gaining support from local cultural and historical workers. In 1998 and 1999, the "Xinhua Town Cultural and Historical Studio" and "Xinhua Old Street Cultural Outlook" were established. On January 25, 1999, a "Public Hearing Meeting on the Development, Preservation, and Broadening of Old Streets" was held, with 22 households in favor of preservation, 5 households against it, and 8 households undecided. Subsequently, Xinhua Old Street undertook numerous maintenance and beautification projects with funding obtained from government agencies. In 2001, the Xinhua Branch of the First Bank demolished three street houses on both sides and planned to construct a new building. However, after an extended period, no construction began, and the demolished street houses were used solely as a parking lot.

The street houses on the west side are characterized by brick arcade columns, wooden floor slabs, and Baroque-style parapets. In contrast, the street houses on the east side exhibit a two-story modernist design. Their facades are usually divided into three bays and adorned with geometric cast iron railings. Additionally, all the street houses have balconies. In comparison, the facade decoration of the street houses on the east side is simpler than that of the street houses on the west side.

Xinhua Old Street, August 2021

August 2021

August 2021

December 2022

Wude Hall (新化武德殿)

Xinhua Wude Hall was constructed between 1925 and 1928. Initially, it served as a malaria prevention and control office. In 1936, it was converted into a martial arts field for military police, students, and youth groups to practice judo and kendo. After Taiwan's recovery, it was repurposed as a dormitory for police families. In 2006, it was officially registered as a historic building and underwent restoration until 2012.

The building combines traditional Japanese shrine and temple elements with modern structures. It still showcases four original springs. It is the only Wude Hall in Taiwan that retains a spring floor. The building is constructed with Taiwanese red cypress and features architectural elements such as the "rain panel" wall and the "bull's eye window" of Baroque architecture, distinguishing it from other Wude halls.

Originally, Xinhua Township had planned to demolish the building but later changed course and designated it as a historical building. The residents living in it relocated to other places, and the building underwent renovation. Reconstructing the original porch was challenging since it had been demolished. However, in 2010, an old photo provided by Kang Zhaoming helped in reconstructing the porch's appearance, and in 2011, the steel bar of the porch base was discovered. The porch was rebuilt on its original site, and the old fire brigade hall, which obstructed the facade, was demolished.

August 2021

Damuji Cultural Park (大目降文化園區)

Xinhua was originally a settlement of the Pingpu people in Siraya. It was previously called "Damujiang," a transliteration of Tavocan in the Siraya language, meaning "land of mountains and forests." The Siraya people are the earliest ethnic group recorded in written records in Tainan, Taiwan, and have an inseparable connection to the shaping and development of the history and culture of Greater Tainan. The Damuji Cultural Park was initially a police dormitory but has been transformed into a comprehensive park after restoration. It features various attractions, including Wudedian, Japanese-style dormitory groups, Japanese gardens, story halls, and Damuyo Square.

During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, the name "Damujiang Village" was found in the "Taiwan County Chronicle," and the name "Damujiang Street" appeared during the Jiaqing period. Various inscriptions engraved with "Damujiang" can also be found in the area. The name "Xinhua" emerged in 1920 during the Japanese occupation period when Xinhua County in Tainan Prefecture was established. The Xinhua Village in the late Qing Dynasty does not refer to the current Xinhua. After the war, it was renamed Xinhua Town, Tainan County. On December 25, 2010, it was renamed Xinhua District following the merger of Tainan County and City.

Yang Gui, a highly respected literary writer in Xinhua, Tainan, was the first person whose works were included in textbooks. The Yang Kui Literature Memorial Hall was rebuilt from the old building of the former Land Affairs Office next to the Street Office Hall. The museum houses numerous items, images, precious works, and historical materials that Yang Kui frequently used during his lifetime. Apart from being open for visits, the venue also hosts art and cultural activities from time to time.

The air-raid shelter was a building attached to the Xinhua County Office during the Japanese occupation period. It faced the possibility of being demolished but was preserved by local residents who recognized its significance as a common historical memory worth saving.

August 2021

December 2019

December 2019

December 2022

December 2022

Air raid shelter

Former Xinhua District Council House (新化街役場)

The Council House building was constructed in 1934 and served as a public office for Xinhua Street during the Japanese occupation period. After the war, it became the Xinhua Town Office until the new building was completed in 1996. In 1999, the building faced the threat of demolition due to the construction of an underground parking lot in the area. However, thanks to the efforts of protestors, it was decided in 2000 to move the building to the nearby Qingguo Market parking lot during the construction period. The building was initially pulled by manpower and later using heavy machinery. Before the actual relocation, a total of 66 days were spent on preparatory work, including adding a ground beam to stabilize its structure and re-paving Zhongxiao Road to ensure smooth movement. To reduce the weight, all the roof tiles were unloaded, and it was discovered that each concrete roof tile was glazed and printed with the words "new case charter," indicating that these tiles were specially made for the new street. After the completion of the parking lot competition in 2002, the building was moved back to its original site. Internal renovations and surrounding greening work began, and the project was completed in March 2005. Office and computer room facilities were added, and the street building was transformed into a restaurant. The Xinhua Street Office was ranked fourth in the 2001 selection of historical buildings and was later declared a historic building on November 18, 2002.

August 2021

Hutoupi Reservoir (台南市新化區同義宮)

The Hutoupi Reservoir Scenic Area is built around Hutoupi Reservoir, the oldest reservoir in Taiwan. It was constructed in 1846 and covers an area of 27 hectares. Originally, the Hutoupi Reservoir was used for irrigating over 500 hectares of farmland. The road surrounding the reservoir spans 4.8 km.

The Huyue suspension bridge was built in 1905 and connects to a small isle in the center where a pavilion is built for tourists to enjoy the landscape.

In 1906, the area suffered significant damage due to an earthquake, which took six months to repair. A memorial stone was erected during that time. In the following year, the reservoir area became one of the twelve scenic panoramas.

In 1939, it was named the Hutoupi Scenic Area, also known as Little Sun Moon Lake. The area has a tropical monsoon climate and boasts rich animal and plant ecology. Hutoupi derives its name from the shape of the surrounding mountains, which resembles a tiger's face.

The site is also renowned for its campgrounds, which are divided into three categories: wooden pallets, boarding houses, and camping car spaces. Hutoupi Lake was ranked fourth by the Daily View website among Taiwan's top ten campsites.

Address:

1. Xinhua Old Street: 71204台南市新化區中正路336-441號新化老街
2. Xinhua District Office: 712台南市新化區中正路500號南市歷史建築地標
3. Japanese Dormitories: 712台南市新化區和平街53號台南新化日式宿舍
4. Wude Hall: 712台南市新化區和平街45巷3號新化武德殿

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Tainan Travel: Memorial Park and Mango Shaved Ice in Yujing

Yujing District is situated in a basin within the eastern mountainous area of Tainan City. Previously known as Tapani, meaning "Famous Potatos" in the Silaya Tribe language, it has now evolved into a regional hub for crop production and mountain towns.

Yujing was originally inhabited by the Daman people (also known as Dawu Dai). During the Ming and Zheng Dynasties, the Siraya people from Damujiang (now Xinhua District) migrated to Yujing, displacing the Daman people who subsequently relocated to Baihe in Tainan and Shanlin, Jiaxian, and Liugui in Kaohsiung. During the Qing Dynasty, Han people began settling in the area, establishing villages.

In 1915, Yu Qingfang and others initiated an anti-Japanese movement in Yujing. This historical event, known as the "Xilaian Incident" or "Yujing Incident," marked the largest and most sacrificial armed resistance against the Japanese occupation in Taiwan's history. In early 2014, approximately 3,000 skeletons were discovered in Xinhua District, suspected to be victims of this incident.

In 1920, the place name was changed by the Japanese from "Tapani" to "Taimai," and "Yujing Township" was established under the jurisdiction of Xinhua County, Tainan. After World War II, it became Yujing Township in Tainan County until December 24, 2010, when it was designated as Yujing District.

Yujing flourished as a sugar-producing region during the Japanese occupation. In the 1960s, the government's promotion of improved mango species made it a significant mango-producing area. Consequently, when people mention "Yujing" in Taiwan, it is often associated with mangoes. However, mangoes are also cultivated in neighboring areas such as Danei, Nanxi, Zuozhen, and Nanhua.

Taiwan Sugar Factory Yushan Line

After the war, the sugar railway from Zuozhen was extended to Yujing Mountain. In 1953, the "Yushan Line" (Yujing-Shanhua) was piloted, but it faced challenges after the development of roads. In 1975, the entire line was discontinued. Many relics of the railway are still visible today.

Tapani Incident Memorial Park (噍吧哖事件紀念園區)

In 1915, due to deep grievances resulting from an unjust tax system, legal system, and pervasive police presence, Yu Qingfang and others collected funds in the name of Xilai Temple to oppose Japanese rule. This led to the outbreak of the Tapani Incident, the largest anti-Japanese event during Japan's rule over Taiwan. In 2015, on the occasion of the incident's 100th anniversary, the Tainan City Government's Cultural Bureau renovated the Yujing Sugar Factory Guest House and other buildings, transforming them into the Tapani Incident Memorial Park. The park, occupying an area of nearly 2,000 square meters, aims to preserve the buildings, natural environment, and historical significance. It serves as a platform to promote local history and culture, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the area's cultural heritage alongside savoring the delectable Aiwen mangoes for which Yujing is renowned.

Address:

1. Mango Shaved Ice: 714台南市玉井區中正路154號玉井有間冰舖芒果冰
2. Tapani Incident Memorial Park: 714台南市玉井區樹糖街22號噍吧哖事件紀念園區

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