Tiantan Tiangong Temple
Tiantan Tiangong Temple
4
Full view
The area
Neighborhood: West Central District/ North District
The West Central District is the most populous and the busiest area. A lot of shops and hotels crowd the district, and the long-standing history results in a variety of street food. In addition to that, this district also has the highest number of temples. This is how it got the name “Tainan’s Pantheon.” Historic buildings are literally ubiquitous. For example, Hayashi Department Store, National Museum of Taiwan Literature, Confucius Temple, Chihkan Tower (formerly Fort Provintia), Sacrificial Rites Martial Temple, Tainan Grand Mazu (name of a goddess) Temple, etc. Recently, the tourism in Tainan has laid emphasis on alleys and lanes. Examples include Fujhong Street specialising in creative handicrafts, as-you-stroll desserts on Jhengsing Street, Shennong Street lined with hundred-year-old ancient houses, Sinyi Street on which the old city gate stands, Sinmei Street where old and new cultures fuse together, and Guohua Street and Baoan Raod famous for all the savoury food. All the traditional and delicious food and flavours are about to burst in your mouth.
The North District, on the other hand, is a quiet secret hideaway. Lane 321 on Gongyuan Road used to be a Japanese soldiers’ dormitory. Now a few artists have set up their studios here. There are diversified art styles in each old Japanese-style house. The Garden Night Market on Haian Road is one of the famous night markets in both Tainan and Taiwan, and was the top 12 Facebook check-in location worldwide in 2013.
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Restaurants
2,152 within 3 miles
Attractions
202 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
65 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
22
Average
27
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Marathonwinner
Toronto, Canada116 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
We went there today and really enjoyed ourselves. The pavement in front of the temple is marked out with parking slots for scooters so we could tell this was a popular one.
It's got all the usual temple stuff but at the back there's an area where 5 or 6 white shirted fortune tellers take turns communicating with the gods in order to forecast their clients future. Wow, what a song and dance they went through. It was really fun to watch and rather thought provoking. Cracking whips, chanting, waving of hands, burning paper folders. There was a constant stream of locals lining up to go through the experience. Apparently they pay a minimum of 100 local dollars for the effort.
I suspect a westerner would be out of luck since I doubt if any of the mediums speak English. But I could be wrong - maybe you too could learn your future. Anyway, it was a new twist on all the religious sites we've visited over the years. I'd go back again.
Oh, and the streets around the site are lined with stores selling paper money and other paraphenalia for burning in memory of the ancestors. One more insight into life here.
It's got all the usual temple stuff but at the back there's an area where 5 or 6 white shirted fortune tellers take turns communicating with the gods in order to forecast their clients future. Wow, what a song and dance they went through. It was really fun to watch and rather thought provoking. Cracking whips, chanting, waving of hands, burning paper folders. There was a constant stream of locals lining up to go through the experience. Apparently they pay a minimum of 100 local dollars for the effort.
I suspect a westerner would be out of luck since I doubt if any of the mediums speak English. But I could be wrong - maybe you too could learn your future. Anyway, it was a new twist on all the religious sites we've visited over the years. I'd go back again.
Oh, and the streets around the site are lined with stores selling paper money and other paraphenalia for burning in memory of the ancestors. One more insight into life here.
Written February 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarko2015
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,757 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
Better known as the Altar of Heaven, this multi faceted temple is another must see on the Tainan visitor list. There is a lot to see but you need to seek some of it out as there are various buildings and staircases, some of which at first glance don't appear to be leading anywhere. Every shrine on the site has something fascinating to reveal and there's also a very nice dragon wall outside, facing the main entrance.
Written September 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alien_Taiwan
Hsinchu, Taiwan17 contributions
Nov 2012 • Friends
One of the most visited temple here. There are numerous temples in Taiwan but this one is said to be the oldest. The temple was built in 1854 but the furnace was from the seventeenth. People often visit here to pray for something.
Written November 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bryan H
Portland, OR1,785 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
Temple visiting is a very subjective thing, no? If you are struck by the atmosphere as special, maybe it's just you ... or maybe there's something in the location that people find compelling. We found this Taoist temple particularly welcoming and atmospheric. This temple is complex, busy and lots going on here (and not), but most of all it shows how in a very modernized place like Taiwan, the spiritual life of its inhabitants is very much a part of the day to day practice. Come check it out. See if this one might be your favorite. Also, there is more signage here than at most temples (Do's and don'ts), which I find reassuring and helpful.
Written December 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phi Somchai
Bangkok, Thailand3,793 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
This is the first Taoism temple dedicated to the Chinese Jade Emperor, who is the king of the gods. The temple is hidden in a back street.
The temple was built about 150 years ago but still very well maintained and clean.
The temple has got various buildings with shrines for other gods. There are some interesting and intricate sculptures and carvings in the buildings.
Interesting for a visit.
The temple was built about 150 years ago but still very well maintained and clean.
The temple has got various buildings with shrines for other gods. There are some interesting and intricate sculptures and carvings in the buildings.
Interesting for a visit.
Written November 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimitaka S
Taichung, Taiwan14,037 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
Although it is called Tiantan, this one is much smaller than that of Beijing. It is said that Koxinga reverences the God in this place. A tablet with the character “one” is famous.
Written November 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilcoxm51
Kingston upon Thames, UK1,142 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
We visited over 10 temples in Tainan and this was one of the most interesting. The temple was extremely popular with local worshippers and was packed when we visited in the early morning. There was also some kind of ceremony taking place outside the temple with about 10 to 20 people playing instruments singing and chainring.
Written October 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Tiantan Tiangong Temple
- Hotels near Tiantan Tiangong Temple:
- (0.01 mi) Slow Hostel I
- (0.06 mi) Kindness Hotel - Tainan Chihkan Tower
- (0.11 mi) City Place Hotel Tainan
- (0.10 mi) Ta Lee Commercial Hotel
- (0.11 mi) ECFA Hotel Tainan
- Restaurants near Tiantan Tiangong Temple:
- (0.04 mi) A Xia Restaurant
- (0.08 mi) Zaifahao Rouzong
- (0.08 mi) Zai Fa Hao Bai Nian Leaf-Packed Rice Dumpling
- (0.07 mi) Yu Yuan Chuancai Restaurant
- (0.09 mi) Fengcha
Tiantan Tiangong Temple Information
Excellent Reviews | 16 |
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Very Good Reviews | 22 |
Tiantan Tiangong Temple Photos | 60 |