Yen Shui-long was a forerunner of Taiwan's oil painting

and a representative oil painting artist from Tainan.

After Yen passed away in 1997,

a memorial park was dedicated to him for his life-long contribution

to public art and fine arts.

Right after walking here,

you can see the statue of Mr. Yen Shui-Long,

sitting and contemplating on his chair.

In this memorial hall,

you can also find hisstory and artworks during his lifetime.

On my right, behind me, what's worth mentioning is that

this is a Min-styled Yen Family Temple

which you can also take a look.

If you want to learn about early Taiwan's contemporary artist,

this is the right place to come.

This Yen Family Temple was built all the way back in 1770

by six Yen brothers

who came here from Yongkang, Tainan as pioneers.

Five of the brothers lived in Jiajhong, next to this town.

The eldest brother, Yuwen stayed behind.

Since he missed his hometown and ancestors,

he built a cottage from straw for worship.

As the years went by,

the cottage became a bamboo altar and later a brick temple.

It wasn't until 1933

that the building expanded to the size as you see today.

Rarely do you see this kind of design, color, and stone.

The four characters says “Yen Family Temple,”

using the font

created by an ancient Chinese calligrapher Yen Zhen-qing.

Yen Shui-long is an artist praised nationwide.

I discovered that he is also

an important driving force of Taiwanese handcrafts.

Work conducted a few decades ago

still looks very fitting today.

That's why we call it an artwork with a story.

Also, he touches hearts with his artworks.

So, we can easily understand his thoughts.

This wall is a replica of a mosaic artwork in Taipei Yuan Shan Park.

It actually is the evolution of Taiwan

from the agricultural times to today's world.

So it's also a good place for kids to learn here.

This park is very quiet.

It makes me feel calm.

After learning about the life of Mr. Yen, Shui-long,

I feel more related to his works and his life

than I ever thought I would be.

It's very insightful to learn about the stories behind his works.

So if you ever have the opportunity,

definitely find time to come here.

Right now, I'm here in this quiet alley of Xiaying District.

All the busy hustle bustle from the other street

are all gone and isolated now.

I'm actually surrounded by a lot of traditional brick houses

and also alley is full of street art.

So follow me!

These black beans behind me, Oh-dou-Ah,

are actually the mascot of Xiaying.

Although they are not as popular as

other cartoon characters in this alley,

actually I feel closer and more related to them,

because they represent the hospitality

and the passion of the people around here.

And I would say, Xiaying actually has more than three treasures,

and they're all waiting here for you to explore!

due to its historical significance.

So next time if you come to Sicao,

don't miss this artillery fort.

Those who love cycling in Tainan,

all know the Shanhai Canal Greenway.

The scenery here is beautiful.

But where does the path start?

Let me check it out with our docent today, Zhi-zhong.

What is the best way to experience

or enjoy this the Shanhai Canal Greenway?

First, let me introduce you the Shanhai Canal Greenway.

It is a cycling path

built along Chianan Canalestablished by Yoichi Hatta,

and starting from Wushantou Reservoir.

The Shanhai Canal Greenway is about 45 kilometers in length.

It's not only a historical and cultural sight,

but also a river ecosystem.

About 15 kilometers of the greenway is situated in Annan District.

It's designated the bike lane

to ensure the safety of cyclists.

The greenway starts from a Chinese tallow tree tunnel

around the National Museum of Taiwan History.

Trees such as Sea hibiscus, Madagascar almond,

Indian almond, and Chinaberry can be found along the greenway,

and they provide shades for cyclists.

Hsuan-hui, let me show you around.

In fact, one of the best thing about here is that,

when you come here to the Shanhai Canal Greenway ,

you don't even have to bring your own bicycle,

you can just rent the T-bike, and you can be on your way.

Let's go.

The viewing platform overlooks Sicao Bridge and Sicao lake

and gives you the chance to see the incredible sunset.

The greenway is both significant in its cultural and ecological values.

When it comes to salt fields,

Cigu or Jingzaijiao may come to your mind.

In fact, there's a salt field eco-culture village in Annan District.

So, what's the best way to visit this wonderful place?

Here, you may experience activities related to salt

and also understand the process of how salt is made.

In addition to having a try on washing salt field,

tourists can visit some of the historical architectures

built for the salt production business.

The docents here will show you around

the ecosystem, traditional beliefs and cultures of this area.

Hsuan-hui, we are standing by a crystallization pond

in a tile-paved salt field.

This pond is called iăm-gēh-à in Hokklo.

Now they are washing the iăm-gēh-à (Hokklo).

The salt evaporation pond has to be washed every time

a pile salt is harvested

so that there will be no impurities in the salt.

This circle next to the crystallization pond is a brine storage pond

called ĭn-gon-à in Hokklo.

So you see, this kind of work really depends a lot on the weather.

And you see, when it rains, the salt will be gone.

But the ancestors had a very good solution to it.

You see,

here right behind me!

When it rains,

they can put all dried salt in it again,

so that the dried salt would not be gone.

Hsuan-hui, let's go try shoving and picking salt!

Now, I've changed my rain boots,

and now we're going to try to shove salt.

Let's go!

Wow, it really takes a lot of hard work.

After shoving just a few minutes,

I'm totally worn out.

The salt filed eco-culture village

displays many daily necessities you would find in early salt villages.

So here at Anshun Salt Factory,

you can really learn a lot about salt culture.

And what's more important is

to experience how to make salt and how to dry them up.

We're now here at Luermen,

and this is where the entry point was in the past.

When people want to enter Taiwan or exit Taiwan,

they can park their ships over here in this harbor.

Here, a lot of business people would do some trading.

Like they would import stuff into Taiwan.

Or they can export some Taiwanese stuff to foreign countries.

And this is why a lot of people call here,

Luermen, as the door of Taiwan.

There is a path along the Luermen River.

It's a good place to take a walk

and enjoy sea breeze.

We're now here at Luermen Ｍatzu Temple

Before we enter the temple,

let's take a walk around the tour sites around the temple.

Just behind me, there is a park with

beautiful plants, trees, and flowers,

where you can take a walk and take a rest.

So, let's check it out

This is Mr. Yo,

Hi, Mr. Yo.

So what is the best way to visit Luermen Ｍatzu Temple?

I can show you around.

Okay!

First, I would recommend you to appreciate the Dashanmen.

And then the architecture of our temple.

These are all carved beams and painted pillars.

They are worth paying a visit.

What's also worth mentioning

is the cultural and creative products made by Luermen Matzu Temple.

The design of lucky charms varies from temple to temple.

If you bring this gift back home,

It's like bringing the blessing from Matzu back home!

So if you take this back home,

you should open the umbrella,

and put it somewhere in your home, but not in your bedroom.

So if you're a student,

it would bless you a better academic performance.

If you're working now,

it would bless you to have a better career development.

So if you come here,

don't forget to bring your blessing from Matzu back home!

The two statues behind me are the generals of Matzu.

One of them can hear from far away.

And the other can see from far away.

And these two generals are like the helpers of Matzu.

They will help to see if someone is doing something bad.

There are a lot of surprises

waiting for you!

Every year during the lantern festival,

many tourists swarm to Annan District

because the firework display here is incredible!

We're now here at Orthodox Luermen Shengmu Temple

Now, come on and let's check it out!

Hi,Director-general!

Hi! Ladies and gentlemen,

wish you a pleasant day.

Could you please briefly introduce Luermen Shengmu Temple?

Luermen Shengmu Temple is the largest temple of all among Southeast Asia.

The statues of deity Qianliyan and Shunfeng'er

are about 17 meters in height.

It's impressive.

Luermen Shengmu Temple worships not only Matzu,

but also the Wufuqiansui (the Plague Gods), Guanyin, and Yueh-lao!

There's also a Yueh-lao Temple where people can ask

for love and romantic questions.

So that the God could bless them with a better relationship with others.

The annual firework display

is an important event.

The firework display is impressive

and beautiful!

Next time, when you come to Tainan,

don't forget to pay a visit at Annan District.

All those temples and the National park,

and also a lot of ecological places to visit,

you will definitely have a great time here.

So, see you next time, bye.