Changhua Travel: Historical Places of Erlin

Travel Date: 2024/07/20

Just a few days before the arrival of Typhoon Gaemi, we took a trip to Lukang, Changhua. It's one of my favorite towns to visit because it's steeped in historical buildings, much like Tainan. One day isn't enough to see it all! We wandered through some narrow lanes and visited Lukang Old Street, which was bustling with activity. Along the old street, you can see many buildings from the Qing Dynasty. I love the architecture because it looks so different from what we see today. Although my all-time favorites are the buildings left from the Japanese occupation, many people dislike them, and I often get angry reactions when I post about them on Facebook. Well, it's part of Taiwan's history now, so why not cherish it? They look unique and attract many tourists. Taiwan has turned many Japanese relics into popular tourist areas, and Japan is the top country Taiwanese people travel to, so why hate on it?

Anyway, back to the topic. We spent the day discovering old places in Lukang. The weather was hot—very hot—as it reached at least 34 degrees Celsius, not to mention the actual heat when you walk in full sun.

Our first stop was Wenwu Temple, which we last visited about six years ago. Time flies so fast. Part of the temple was under renovation, but the area is quite large, so there were still plenty of places to visit, and the renovation didn't bother us at all. The temple has free parking, which made it convenient to stop by.

Later, we headed into town. On the way, we saw an old train station building that is now a care center. After equipping ourselves with some cold drinks and asking for food recommendations, we moved on. We tried one of the famous baozi shops, but I didn't enjoy it—the bun was like air, and there was barely any filling. Honestly, I couldn't taste any flavor. It's a tourist-famous shop, and from my experience, all tourist spots and popular shops are just expensive and not tasty—at least in my opinion.

While searching for Lukang Old Street, we passed through Jiuqu Lane. At the end, there was a market where we tried some noodles. Although my husband said the flavor was different from others, I liked it. Nearby, there was a popular shaved ice shop, but we were already full, so we skipped it and continued. We walked through Lukang Old Street, visited a paper art exhibition, and explored the Lukang History Museum, which is housed in an old Japanese-era dormitory. Scrolling through Google Maps, I noticed a Japanese shrine, so we went to check it out.

Walking through another small lane, we visited Heqi Villa, a house that belonged to a wealthy family during the Qing Dynasty. Something I had never seen before was a well inside a house. The shrine is actually next to it, and reading the reviews, it turns out to be an art installation set up in 2022.

Another place we visited was the Ding Family Mansion, which is really large—probably one of the largest houses we have ever seen. The area has a front entrance on Zhongshan Road, a busy place, but the entrance from the back is very empty and quiet. There's also a place to park at the back, so it's probably easier to start from there.

We ended our trip with a stop in Erlin, where we had never been before. We ate at a jīpái shop called HFC, which I highly recommend because the chicken was big and extra juicy. We also visited an elementary school to see several Japanese-era buildings. One of them reminded us of a building we saw at Jingliao Elementary School (you can check it out HERE).

That concluded our trip, which was really fun but tiring due to the heat.

Lukang Travel Part I [LINK]

Lukang Travel Part II [LINK]

Erlin Peasants Movement Memorial (二林蔗農事件紀念碑)

The Erlin Peasants Movement Memorial is managed according to the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act, ensuring its conservation and emphasizing its cultural and historical value. The preservation plan was developed with experts and the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology's Changhua County Historical Building Inspection and Management Team.

Originally part of the Erlin Public School staff dormitory complex, the memorial includes a podium, auditorium, and foyer. Constructed in 1938 during the Japanese colonial period, these wooden structures have remained largely intact due to continuous use and maintenance. After renovations, the site has been integrated with nearby historical sites to create an educational and cultural zone.

The dormitory buildings reflect the historical image of Taiwan's national education. Restoring these dormitories preserves their cultural importance and offers a space for alumni and future generations to remember and reflect on the region's educational history.

Key Architectural Features

- Principal’s Dormitory: Features a tiered roof, wooden rain-guard walls, and a raised floor for ventilation.

- Director’s Dormitory: A duplex with a higher roof at the main entrance, wooden construction, Japanese-style black tile roof, and well-preserved rain-guard walls.

- Other Dormitories: Two dormitories are currently occupied by retired teachers. Damaged during Typhoon Wayne in 1986, they were rebuilt with cement brick walls but retained their black-tiled roofs.

Erlin Renhe Temple (二林仁和宮)

Erlin Renhe Temple is a Mazu temple and a significant location in Taiwan's agricultural movement history. The temple's exact founding date is unclear, with estimates ranging from the Kangxi era to the Qianlong period. The oldest existing inscription dates to 1807, when local elders initiated an expansion.

The 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake caused significant damage, leading to repairs initiated in early 2000. The temple features a three-hall and two-courtyard layout with intricate carvings and historical plaques.

The temple was designated a Level 3 historic site in 1985. It houses statues and calligraphy from notable figures and is an important site for rituals and festivals, including the Changhua Mazu Joint Pilgrimage Festival.

Address:

1. Memorial Hall: 526彰化縣二林鎮中山路13號

2. Renhe Temple: 526彰化縣二林鎮中正路58號

3. Chicken: 526彰化縣二林鎮中正路41號