Tainan is a city rich in history and historic landmarks. Over 300 years have passed since Koxinga liberated Taiwan from the Dutch and established Tainan as his capital. Now, this historic city is being gradually transformed into a modern city. What will be the fate of Tainan's time-worn relics of the past?
Today, a Ming dynasty well lies buried under traffic on Minch'uan Road, while a new paved road is constructed in front of a Ching dynasty temple. Does the new road mean a lack of reverence for the historic temple? Or will new access to the site allow more people the chance to appreciate it?
Today, students dance in front of an ancient Ming temple built for Koxinga, and children ride their bikes through the entrance to the Confucian Temple. Other young residents are allowed to frolic under the Chenghuang Temple's giant abacus, previously a solemn symbol of law and justice. Yet as a mother who tolerates the childish actions of her offspring, Tainan's relics seem to have an understanding of the changes taking place in their city. Ancient temples and modern highways, historic admonitions and new customs, all begin to blend naturally in mutual tolerance.
As a young child practices kungfu in the courtyard of the historic Confucian temple, stone dragon heads smile at the new views of modern life open to their gaze.
(Jill Ardourel)
[Picture Caption]
The busy, traffic-filled Mingch'uan Road is the location of a nineteenth century well, covered with an iron grating. During Ming times, ships could dock near the area and drink fresh water from the well. After the Retrocession, Minch'uan Road became the busiest street in Tainan.
In front of the Ching dynasty Wushih Old House, a worker makes repairs along a new road. The old and the new make for an interesting contrast.
This temple, the Yen P'ing Chun Wang Ssu, was built for Koxinga. The characters above the entrance describe how Koxinga's achievements were unsurpassed by any of his predecessors. Students from Tainan dance in front of the gate.
In front of the gate to the Confucian Temple stands this stone tablet, admonishing civil servants, military men, officials and all others to dismount their horses before entering. Now, an elementary student can ride his bike past the entrance without having to "dismount".
A giant abacus housed in the city's Ch'enghuang Temple is a symbol of law and justice. The inscriptions describe how man chooses between good and evil, and right and wrong are determined by law.
Kungfu courtyard of the Confucian Temple, a stone dragon's head seems to smile as a young child tightens his fists, extends his arms and kicks in a miniature display of kungfu.
In front of the Ching dynasty Wushih Old House, a worker makes repairs along a new road. The old and the new make for an interesting contrast.
This temple, the Yen P'ing Chun Wang Ssu, was built for Koxinga. The characters above the entrance describe how Koxinga's achievements were unsurpassed by any of his predecessors. Students from Tainan dance in front of the gate.
This temple, the Yen P'ing Chun Wang Ssu, was built for Koxinga. The characters above the entrance describe how Koxinga's achievements were unsurpassed by any of his predecessors. Students from Tainan dance in front of the gate.
A giant abacus housed in the city's Ch'enghuang Temple is a symbol of law and justice. The inscriptions describe how man chooses between good and evil, and right and wrong are determined by law.
Kungfu courtyard of the Confucian Temple, a stone dragon's head seems to smile as a young child tightens his fists, extends his arms and kicks in a miniature display of kungfu.
Kungfu courtyard of the Confucian Temple, a stone dragon's head seems to smile as a young child tightens his fists, extends his arms and kicks in a miniature display of kungfu.
Kungfu courtyard of the Confucian Temple, a stone dragon's head seems to smile as a young child tightens his fists, extends his arms and kicks in a miniature display of kungfu.
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