The only one of its type in Taiwan! The Three Architectural Features of Xinhua Wude Temple Will Take You Back in Time
Posted Date:2025-01-17
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Introduce
Xinhua Wude Temple in Xinhua District, Tainan, is a historical building that stands as a testimony to the passing of time. Originally built in 1924, the Wude Temple has three unique architectural features (sprung wooden flooring, bulls-eye windows, cypress rain panels) that make it the only Wude Temple to survive untouched in Taiwan. The building embodies the architectural wisdom and cultural value of the past.
Xinhua Wude Temple comes highly recommended by Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che for its historical importance and cultural value. The Mayor said that Wude Temple was not only an important cultural landmark for Tainan but also a model of cultural conservation in Tainan. The city will continue to showcase the importance of this building in the future.
Director-General Lin Kuo-hua from the Tourism Bureau of Tainan City Government noted that Xinhua is the gateway between downtown Tainan and Zuozheng, Yujin, Nanxi, and Nanhua. He therefore hoped to use a combination of history and innovation to attract more local/overseas tourists to the area, and to continue promoting the soft power of cultural tourism in Tainan.
Spring wooden floor: Craftsmanship hidden underneath your feet.
Step inside Wude Temple to appreciate the uniqueness of its flooring design. The spring flooring provided martial artists at the time with a more comfortable and safe environment. It was designed specifically to absorb impacts during Kendo and Judo. The craftsman’s attention to detail was a boon to martial artists and a marvel to modern-day tourists.
Bulls-eye window and cypress rain panels: A combination of aesthetics and utility.
The distinctive bulls-eye window design on the outer wall of the Wude Temple not only give the building its classical elegance but also fill the interior with natural light. The cypress rain panels are very functional. They demonstrated the craftsman's understanding of Taiwan’s humid climate at the time by being both robust and durable but also having their own natural architectural beauty.
In-depth cultural experience and respect for writing
Xinhua Wude Temple is now a venue where cultural blends with lifestyle. From martial arts demonstrations to architectural tours, travelers can gain a better appreciation for the pulse of history through the many activities hosted here. The Xinhua Old Street nearby inject extra fun and surprises into the journey with its mouth-watering foods and cultural & creative shops.
Chen Nan-Hsiou, the head of the Xinhua Wude Temple volunteer tour guide team, mentioned in his cheat sheet for volunteers that: “Three architectural features not found in other wude temples were preserved at the Xinhua Wude Temple. These included the spring floors, bulls-eye windows, and cypress rain panels. The Xinhua Wude Temple is therefore in its original, unmodified form.” Chen said that the Xinhua Wude Temple is now an important landmark of the cultural park. Everyone is welcome to visit this hundred-year old building. The Wude Temple volunteer tour guide team offers free 30-min guided tours. For a longer more in-depth tour, please contact team leader Chen on 06-5902192 or 0939592566 to make a booking. (Reminder: Xinhua Wude Temple is closed on Mondays and public holidays; opening hours: 09:00 ~ 12:00 and 13:30 ~ 17:00).
Why not welcome 2025 by traveling to Xinhua to set foot in this classical tourism town, touch the pulse of history with your hands, and witness the wonders of a cultural treasure like the Wude Temple? The 2025 Xinhua New Year Goods Street will be held from January 17 to January 22 along Xinhua Old Street and around Tavokan Cultural Area. The public is welcome to come and enjoy the Lunar New Year holiday atmosphere on the New Year Goods Street! Other local destinations such as the “Hutoupi Scenic Area” offer a trip that combines history, culture, nature, ecology, and delicious street food. For more travel information, please visit the “Travel Tainan” website and Facebook fan page.
Xinhua Wude Temple comes highly recommended by Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che for its historical importance and cultural value. The Mayor said that Wude Temple was not only an important cultural landmark for Tainan but also a model of cultural conservation in Tainan. The city will continue to showcase the importance of this building in the future.
Director-General Lin Kuo-hua from the Tourism Bureau of Tainan City Government noted that Xinhua is the gateway between downtown Tainan and Zuozheng, Yujin, Nanxi, and Nanhua. He therefore hoped to use a combination of history and innovation to attract more local/overseas tourists to the area, and to continue promoting the soft power of cultural tourism in Tainan.
Spring wooden floor: Craftsmanship hidden underneath your feet.
Step inside Wude Temple to appreciate the uniqueness of its flooring design. The spring flooring provided martial artists at the time with a more comfortable and safe environment. It was designed specifically to absorb impacts during Kendo and Judo. The craftsman’s attention to detail was a boon to martial artists and a marvel to modern-day tourists.
Bulls-eye window and cypress rain panels: A combination of aesthetics and utility.
The distinctive bulls-eye window design on the outer wall of the Wude Temple not only give the building its classical elegance but also fill the interior with natural light. The cypress rain panels are very functional. They demonstrated the craftsman's understanding of Taiwan’s humid climate at the time by being both robust and durable but also having their own natural architectural beauty.
In-depth cultural experience and respect for writing
Xinhua Wude Temple is now a venue where cultural blends with lifestyle. From martial arts demonstrations to architectural tours, travelers can gain a better appreciation for the pulse of history through the many activities hosted here. The Xinhua Old Street nearby inject extra fun and surprises into the journey with its mouth-watering foods and cultural & creative shops.
Chen Nan-Hsiou, the head of the Xinhua Wude Temple volunteer tour guide team, mentioned in his cheat sheet for volunteers that: “Three architectural features not found in other wude temples were preserved at the Xinhua Wude Temple. These included the spring floors, bulls-eye windows, and cypress rain panels. The Xinhua Wude Temple is therefore in its original, unmodified form.” Chen said that the Xinhua Wude Temple is now an important landmark of the cultural park. Everyone is welcome to visit this hundred-year old building. The Wude Temple volunteer tour guide team offers free 30-min guided tours. For a longer more in-depth tour, please contact team leader Chen on 06-5902192 or 0939592566 to make a booking. (Reminder: Xinhua Wude Temple is closed on Mondays and public holidays; opening hours: 09:00 ~ 12:00 and 13:30 ~ 17:00).
Why not welcome 2025 by traveling to Xinhua to set foot in this classical tourism town, touch the pulse of history with your hands, and witness the wonders of a cultural treasure like the Wude Temple? The 2025 Xinhua New Year Goods Street will be held from January 17 to January 22 along Xinhua Old Street and around Tavokan Cultural Area. The public is welcome to come and enjoy the Lunar New Year holiday atmosphere on the New Year Goods Street! Other local destinations such as the “Hutoupi Scenic Area” offer a trip that combines history, culture, nature, ecology, and delicious street food. For more travel information, please visit the “Travel Tainan” website and Facebook fan page.
