Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Top 10 must-see tourist attractions in Tainan County

Indulge in a hot spring vacation

Guanzihling Hot Spring is one of four major hot spring areas in Taiwan, along with Peitou, Yangmingshan and Sihchongsi. Guanzihling Hot Spring includes alkalinity carbonate and other minerals, which make the local spring water look a bit murky and muddy. It is believed, however, to have a curative effect on various skin diseases.

Observe black-faced spoonbills

Starting in September each year, black-faced spoonbills fly in groups from northern Asia to spend the long, cold winter along the Zengwu River in Tainan County. The bird's name comes from their spoon-like black beak. In March, they return to the north to breed.

Experience the Tainan County Lantern Festival

During the Chinese New Year -- also known as the Spring Festival -- local governments hold lantern exhibitions throughout cities starting on the 15th day of the lunar calendar. In Tainan County, the coming lantern festival will be held in the "Solar City" district of the Southern Science-based Industrial Park, already dubbed, "The World's Most Brilliant Lantern Festival."

Visit the Tower with eight angles

The Ba-jao Lo -- or tower with eight angles -- was built in Yen shui Town in the Ching Dynasty. The wooden structure was designed by master carpenters from Fu Zhou, and later became the center of the borwn sugar trade in the region.

'Bai-Bai' at Nankunshen Daitianfu Temple

Built in 1662, Nankunshen Daitianfu is the oldest and largest Wangye temple in Taiwan. The religious edifice, made of wood, brick and Laojhensheh stones, is dedicated to the worship of Wufu Ciansuei, of the Li, Chih, Wu, Jhu, and Fan families. The outer walls of the temple are richly decorated with artwork depicting mythological animals, gods, historic figures and renowned military officers.

Legendary Yuan Shui firecracker ceremony

Also held during the Chinese New Year, the Yuanshui Fongpao -- Yuanshui firecracker ceremony -- takes place in Yuan Shui Township to commemorate the end of a cholera epidemic that hit the area in the 19th century. Local businesses thus called on "Guan The Holy Sovereign" to visit the town and end the epidemic by setting off firecrackers.

Ride through Hsiaolung Culture Park

Hsiaolung Culture Park, also known as Chiali Sugar Factory, includes a 13.8-hectare recreational area. The factory's red-brick main building was built in 1906 by Meiji Sugar Manufacturing Cooperation during the Japanese colonial era, and is surrounded by hudred-year-old trees. Trains from the sugar factory used to provide transportation for sugarcane and local residents, but nowadays only tourists enjoy the picturesque ride on a traditional coal-locomotive thorough the park.

Hiking the salt mountains

Located in Chiku town, Chiku Yunchang is the largest sun-dried field of sea salt in Taiwan, with a total area of 1,800 hectares. Today, Chiku Yunchang has become a famous scenic spot, where tourists can enjoy salt mountain hiking and bathing in a sea salt swimming pool.

Nap by Hsikou little Swiss

Hsikou little Swiss takes its name from a quiet, Swiss-like scene upstream from Coral Lake, which is surrounded by a forest of maple trees, bamboo, acajou and evergreens. Located by the lake, Hsikou camping ground offers a quiet and relaxing environment for the family in the heart of nature.

Meditate at Hsikang Cing-an Temple

The temple, located in Hsikang Town, is also called "Jinda Temple" because it is richly decorated in gold foil. The temple's vivid artistic representations of local deities show them posing in colorful postures. The main structure of the building dates back to the Ching Dynasty.

Source:http://www.chinapost.com.tw/supplement/2007/12/14/134925/Top-10.htm

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