Architecture Old and New

Cities of Taiwan are an endless mixture of the old and new in architecture. Temples with the ornate roof lines of Buddhist and Taoist building styles are to be seen everywhere in city and countryside (the Sanhsia temple, center, is in Taipei County). Modern structures with a distinctly Chinese flavor are also to be found, including a new Grand Hotel wing that is the tallest Chinese-style building ever constructed. Architecture in the modern style might be from anywhere.

Many Taiwan buildings would be at home anywhere in the world: high rise apartments at upper left, Tainan sports arena at bottom left, junior high school at upper right and the hillside apartments at bottom right. Construction in the pacesetter of industrial growth.

Temple architecture is ornate. Pillars are carved and even sculptured. Taiwan has scores of such highly stylized structures.

Hillsides are a common setting for the temples of Buddhism and Taoism. This is Chinan Kung in the Taipei suburbs.

Taipei temple dedicated to Confucius.

Another hilltop temple. Often these are reached by flights of steps that tax the andurance of the may most devout worshipper.

Many Taiwan buildings would be at home anywhere in the world: high rise apartments

Many Taiwan buildings would be at home anywhere in the world:Tainan sports arena

Many Taiwan buildings would be at home anywhere in the world: junior high School

Many Taiwan buildings would be at home anywhere in the world: hillside apartments