The Zuoying Confucius Temple (aka Kaohsiung Zuoying Confucius Temple) is a large Confucius Temple in Taiwan. It sits near the beautiful Lotus Pond, and is surrounded by countless other temples in the area. Today it is an important place for Confucian learning and a popular tourist attraction in Kaohsiung City. 

Historical Background:
The Zuoying Confucius Temple was completed in 1974 near Lotus Lake.  Covering an area over 6000 cubic meters, it is one of the larger Confucious temples in Taiwan. It was built after the northern Taiwan temple style, resembling the Forbidden City in Beijing. 
Zuoying's Confucius Temple is not the only Confucius temple in Kaohsiung. There is another one in Qishan, so the temples trade years for annual Kaohsiung City Confucius ceremonies. 

TheOld Fengshan City Confucius Temple Chongsheng Shrine dates back to 1685 when the first part of the Confucius Temple was built in Fengshan during the Qing Dynasty. It survived revolts, typhoons, other natural disasters, and was constantly repaired and expanded. 
During the Japanese era in 1914, a new public primary school was built and the Confucius temple was incorporated as part of the school. Later, in order to expand dormitories, the sides of the courtyard, main entrance, and main temple were torn down. The spirit tablets were transferred to the Tainan Confucius Temple. 
During allied air raids in Kaohsiung, what was left of the temple was completely destroyed except one building, which was the Chongsheng Shrine.
After the ROC took over Taiwan, the Chongsheng Shrine acted as Kaohsiung's Confucius temple until the new Zuoying Confucius Temple could be built in 1976, and most of the important shrine artifacts were moved to the new temple. 

Hours:
9 AM to 5 PM (closed on Mondays)

Price:
Free

Accommodation
We have stayed at and recommend Chao She Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) IHI Sanduo Travel Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Mingli Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Hotels.com here) which are three inexpensive and high quality choices in downtown Kaohsiung. I also have stayed at and recommend Kaohsiung Meinong Rabbit Paul Homestay B&B (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here), a quiet B&B in rural Meinong, and Chengching Lakeside Resort​ (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com or Trip.com here)and the Grand Hotel Kaohsiung (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) which both offer breakfast buffet and free entrance into Chenqing Lake Park. I have also stayed at the 85 sky tower which offers great views of the city; you can search for rooms in the 85 sky tower on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here).
Find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. 

Tours:
You can find more tours and activities in Kaohsiung such as Pier 2, Meinong Hakka Museum, Hamasen Railway Museum, Suzuka Circuit Park, i-Ride Kaohsiung Visual 5D Flying Theater, National Science and Technology Museum , Senya Village Restaruant, Austin Land, Ski School Indoor Ski Slope, and many more on Klook here or KKday here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: From central Kaohsiung, go north on provincial highway 17 and then turn north on Xinzhuang 1st Road. The pond is on your left and is hard to miss. There is free and paid parking all around the lake. 
Looking for scooter rental in Kaohsiung? You can check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can check also out our scooter rental guide here.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can search Qeeq here, KKday here, or Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Train: From the north you can walk to the pond from Zuoying HSR station, or from the south you can walk there from Zuoying Jiucheng TRA Station.
You can book tickets to travel to Kaohsiung via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
You can book tickets to Kaohsiung  via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
You can also book a Kaohsiung Travel pass here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Taoyuan Confucius Temple is Taiwan's newest Confucius Temple, built in 1989. Besides being a ceremonial and worship area for local students and teachers, it also has beautiful gardens and great views of Taoyuan City. There is also a large children's park right next to it. It is a great place to relax if you are in Taoyuan. 

Brief Historical Background:
The Taoyuan Confucius Temple was completed in Huotou Mountain Park in 1989 and is the newest of Taiwan's thirteen government-established Confucius temples. 
On November 28, 1955, the Taiwan Government decided to establish Confucius temples in each county and city to promote traditional Chinese beliefs and teachings. As there was no Confucius temple in Taoyuan at the time, the statue and shrine of Confucius were placed in the Taoyuan Wen Chang Temple.
In 1984, locals felt that the Wen Chang Temple was insufficient to express reverence for Confucius, so the people of Taoyuan initiated an effort to establish another Confucius temple on Huotou Mountain. 
The temple was completed and inaugurated on September 28, 1989, and includes the Dacheng Hall, Dacheng Gate, East and West Wing Halls, and Chongsheng Shrine.
 
After its completion, local residents formed the Taoyuan County Chongsheng Association, which provides student scholarships awarded to students in both public schools and private schools in the area.
Teachers and students also perform rituals in the temple. Ritual processions include the beating of drums and gongs, welcoming a deity into the Dacheng Hall, and presenting incense and food offerings at an altar. After the ceremony concludes, with the deity is taken away, and the ritual ends.
Over the years, people have suggested simplifying the ceremony and offering vegetarian offerings, however, Taoyuan Confucius still used meat offerings until 2007.
Also, despite protests from government officials regarding mixing Taoism with Confucianism, there is a wooden statue of Confucius placed in the east wing of the temple donated by the Chongsheng Association. The statue, carved from camphor wood and painted, stands about three feet tall. The statue was planned to be removed but after protests from parents and students, the statue was allowed to stay.
​
Hours:
8 AM to 5 PM every day

Price:
Free

Where to stay:
Looking for a hotel in Taoyuan? We recommend the Novotel Taipei Taoyuan International Airport which has great service and is conveniently located right next to Taoyuan Airport, the MRT, and HSR station (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here).  
We also recommend the Fullon Hotel Taoyuan which also has great service and is located in downtown Taoyuan City (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here).  
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Activities in Taoyuan:
Ice Skating, Rock Climbing, Mountain Climbing, Cycling, High Ropes, Ziplining, Archery, Vietnamese BBQ, Batting Cages, Glamping, Van Camping, Photo Shoot, Turkish Mosaic DIY, Thai Massage, Painting, Baking, Go Karting, Imax Theater, Japanese Style Buffet, Tourist Factory Experience, peach and fruit picking, Ring-making DIY, handmade popsicle DIY, and more on on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 

How to get there:
By Car: Taoyuan Confucius Temple is behind Taoyuan Senior High School on Houtoushan. There is limited paid parking next to the temple. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search  Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. 
By Scooter: Taoyuan Confucius Temple is behind Taoyuan Senior High School on Houtoushan. There is limited paid parking next to the temple. 
Looking for scooter rental in Taoyuan? Search Klook here or KKday here to look for options.
By Bus: The temple is within walking distance of Taoyuan TRA Station. You can book tickets to travel to Taoyuan via inter-city bus on Klook here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a cycling tour on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 
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Map:
Check out the map below:

Zhenwen Academy (aka Jhen Wen Academy or Chenwen Academy) is a Qing Dynasty Civil Servant Academy in Xiluo Township of Yunlin dating back to the 1700s, and the only such Academy in Yunlin County that has survived to the current day. It now sits as a cultural and historical landmark, alongside with ​Nantian Academy-Yide Branch. It is important to the local people as a religious and scholarly site, especially for local students. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Yunlin.

Historical Background:
Before Han Chinese settlement, Xiluo was inhabited by native peoples. During the Kingdom of Tungming after Koxinga's conquest of Taiwan from the Dutch, the first Chinese farmers began to settle here due to the fertile land and mild climate. At the time it was situated in the middle of two other settlements: Lukang and Beigang. 
The original name for Xiluo was Luoyang (螺陽).

Zhen Wen Academy 振文書院
In 1797, a group of respected individuals from Xiluo, led by Liao Chenghe, contributed funds to construct the Temple of Wenchang Emperor which acted as a precursor to Zhenwen Academy. This temple was also dedicated to Confucius and other revered figures. It wasn't until 1814 that the Zhenwen Academy was formally established.
Zhenwen Academy originally consisted of one hall, one courtyard, and six side corridors, but was later renovated and expanded
During the Japanese era, among various academies that existed in Yunlin during the Qing Dynasty, including Longmen, Kuiwen, and Xiuwen, Zhenwen Academy was the only one that endured.
After WWII, the academy was registered as a third-class historical site in 1985.
However, in 1986, it suffered damage during Typhoon Wayne. Restoration efforts commenced in July 1987.
Following the 921 earthquake on September 21st, 1999, the building was damaged and further restoration work was needed. The academy reopened in 2004.

​Nantian Academy-Yide Branch 南天修文院懿德分院
Nantian Academy Yide Branch, formerly known as Yide Hall, can be traced back to the initiative of the late Liu Wan, a distinguished individual in Xiluo Town. In the autumn of 1934, Liu Wan rallied local leaders to establish this institution, situated east of Zhenwen Academy. Its founding mission was to promote Confucianism and celebrate Chinese cultural traditions, advocating for a virtuous society. Despite facing threats of demolition by the Japanese during WWII, the hall suspended activities during the war.
After WWII, the hall resumed activities and underwent further expansion. In July 1970, the "Three Graces," 三恩主 (Sān Ēn Zhǔ) namely Guan Yu, Lu Dongbin, and Siming Zhaoyun, who were revered as saints, and Wenchang Emperor 文衡聖帝 (Wén Héng Shèng Dì), were enshrined at Yide Hall. Subsequently, in 1971, Yide Hall was renovated and officially renamed as Nantian Academy Yide Branch. 
Following the renovation of Yide Branch into a two-story palace building, the upper hall housed the Three Graces, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Cheng Huangye, and Tudigong. The lower hall was dedicated to the promotion of Confucianism.
Now, many local students frequent the lecture hall for study and review. The caretakers here also provide air conditioning and tea for the students. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

Where to stay:
We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here).
We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here)
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
​
Tours in Yunlin: 
Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. 
You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. 

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. 

How to get there:
By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go south to the Xiluo Great Bridge until you reach Xiluo Town. The Academy is on the south side of town along Highway 154 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road.
Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. The Academy is on the south side of town along Highway 154 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 88 for about 30 minutes to Xiluo Town. The Academy is then in walking distance.
You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Pingtung Confucius Temple is a former Tutorial Academy dating back to 1815 that was nearly destroyed during the Japanese era but was moved to another location. The temple has also recently been refurbished and is one of the most beautiful historic Confucius Temples in Taiwan. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Pingtung. 

Background:
For millennia Pingtung had been inhabited by plains aboriginal groups. Their biggest settlement was called Ahou, on the current site of Pingtung City. 
The first Chinese settlers came to the area in the late 1600s during the Kingdom of Tungming and Qing Dynasty. Before that time, the area was known as a place of exile for Chinese criminals. During the Qing Dynasty, the area was part of Fengshan County.
The Pingtung Tutorial Academy was completed in 1815, and its purpose was to provide a place of study for scholars.
During the Japanese Era, The City of Pingtung underwent urban planning and the Tutorial Academy was nearly destroyed. The building was originally located near Pingtung Park roughly on the spot of land where Pingtung County Stadium now stands, however under the advice of Gaijiro Fujishima, the building was preserved and moved a few blocks north in 1937.
After the start of the Japanese Era, the building was used as a Confucius Temple. 
Normally there are not many people near the gate and the area is not very busy.
​
Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

Tours and Activities in Pingtung:
There are many activities available in Pingtung, such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, surfing, submarine riding, and river tracing. 
You can find more tours of Kenting on Klook here or KKday here. 

Where to stay:
Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
I have stayed at many hostels and hotels in Pingtung, and even almost bought a house here. Some places that I have stayed at and can recommend are Nanwan Kiki (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here), a B&B next to Nanwan Bay, Kenting's most popular Beach. There are also a few decent hotels near Kenting Street Night Market like Kenting Star Inn 888 (book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Booking.com here), or Kenting Dajianshan Hotel (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). You will notice that none of these hotels are five star resorts (I do not come to Kenting to waste my time at a resort, but you can still search Agoda, Booking.com, or Klook here for those) but they are in my opinion the above have the best value for the money. 
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How to get there:
By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 1 south to the bottom of Taiwan until it becomes Pingtung City. The Confucius Temple is on Shengli Road in the middle of the city. 
Looking for scooter rental in Pingtung? Click here or here to search for options.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
By Train: Pingtung Confucius Temple is about a 10 minute walk from Pingtung TRA Station. You can book tickets to Kaohsiung via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here, or book tickets via the normal train (TRA)  on Klook here. You can book tickets to travel to Pingtung via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Map:
Please see below:

Dalong Street Night Market is a small night market in Taipei near the Taipei Confucius Temple and Dalongdong Baoan Temple. Here you can find local snacks and delicacies such as braised pork rice, fried chicken, and meatballs without huge crowds of people. It is definitely worth a trip if you are in the area. 

Background:
Dalong Street Night Market was formerly named Lanzhou Street Market (蘭州街夜市) before the street name was changed in 1975, which was a name given by the KMT to remember Lanzhou in Gansu Province of China. However when the road was improved in 1975 to better connect with Dalongdong Baoan Temple, the name was changed to Dalong Street. 
The street was an important route to Dadaocheng and many merchant shops were built here both during the Qing Dynasty and the Japanese era, and also many residences. 
Popular foods at this night market include braised pork rice, meatballs, salty crispy chicken, fried rice, etc., as well as some special "Confucian" cuisine because of the nearby Taipei Confucius Temple.
The night market is usually not very busy and vehicle traffic is allowed to pass at all times. 

Hours:
4 PM to Midnight

Price:
Free

Tours:
You can book a tour of Taipei on Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here.

Hotels in Taipei:
We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). 
We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here).
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan.
Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

​Looking for Chinese lessons? You can get a 10% discount on Chinese lessons from Tutor ABC, the best Chinese language learning program out there by using the promo code FOREIGNERS10.

How to get there:
By MRT: The closest MRT station is Yuanshan Station, and is about a 5 minute walk. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: Driving or taking a scooter there can be hard because there is limited paid parking nearby. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or  KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.  
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. 
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. 

Map:
See below: