Checheng Zhenan Temple 車城鄉統埔村鎮安宮

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Checheng Zhenan Temple is an important place for Taiwanese fold religion and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Checheng Township of Pingtung. It is dedicated to Guanyu, a deified military general from the Eastern Han Dynasty of China. It is the most prominent landmark on highway 199 from Taitung to Pingtung. 

Historical Background:
Settlements in Checheng date back to the Kingdom of Tungming, when it was originally called Chaicheng or "firewood city." During the Qing Dynasty the name was changed to Checheng or "cart city."
The earliest recorded temple on this site dates back to 1897, with renovations later in 1915 and 1984. 
The temple is dedicated to Guanyu, a deified military general from the Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He is known as the Guan Holy Emperor. The temple also has deities of Mazu, Jigong, and the Lords of the Three Mountains. Overall this temple can be considered a Taiwan folk religion or Taoist temple. 
The temple features two parts, one normal looking two storey temple, and another four storey temple with a giant statue of Guanyu on top. 

Hours:
8:30 AM to 9:30 PM (open late so you can see it with lights)

Price:
50 NT per person.
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How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: You can either take the 199 from Taitung or provincial highway 26 south and then turn left on highway 199. IT is hard to miss because it is the highest building around surrounded by farmland. 
By Bus: From Hengchun, take bus 201 to Nandahai Road, after which the temple is only a six minute walk.

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:
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During our round island trip in 2014, we drove a car starting from Taipei and then down the east coast. We missed the turnoff to provincial highway 9 and ended up on highway 199 which is a mountain road through southern Pingtung on the Hengchun Peninsula. It was a scary, windy one lane road with leaves all over it, and I do not recommend anyone to drive a car on it. When we finally made it to the plain in Checheng, it was such a relief. 

Some locals along the raodside in Checheng. 

Last bit of hills on the way to Checheng. 

When we first saw this temple, we knew we had to stop and take a few photos. It was too prominent and large of a landmark to not take notice. 

Large parking area in front of the temple. 

Decoration at the front of the temple. 

Main hall on the first floor. 

Model of a Chinese village related to Guanyu. 

Main shrine inlaid with what I assume is pure gold. 

Scuplutres bathed in red light on the third floor. 

Utter barren land around the temple. 

View looking north from the top of the temple. 

View looking south.

View looking east. Note the dragon fountain below.

Giant statue of Guanyu. 

View of the dragon fountain. 

In conclusion, this is by no means the greatest temple in Taiwan, but it was a fun pit stop for some foreign travelers on a long trip around the island. 

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