Magnificent sunshine and populous plain are the two great gifts given to Pingtung City from the Nature.  With coconut trees standing everywhere, the resource-rich, people-friendly & happy and the bright-sun-of-southern-Taiwan Pingtung City has owned the great reputation of “the city of the Sun”.

Pingtung City is located in the southern Taiwan and the east of Baiping Moutain; therefore, it was changed to Pingtung during Japanese rule.  Neighboring upon Kaohsiung on the west with Lower Kaoping River in between.  Pingtung City is located at the west side of the Pingtung County and it is the best area in the whole county.  There is Kaoping River in the west bordering on Kaohsiung County, Changjhih and Linluo two towns in the east, Jiouru Township in the north and Wandan Township in the south.  The area of the administrative division is 65.067 square kilometers covering 79 villages and 1527 neighborhoods and by the end of Aug. 2002, there were totally 657500 residential houses with the population of 215520.  Friendly and simple folks and convenient traffic along with prosperous industrial and commercial businesses, Pingtung City is a city with developing potentials.

As documented in ancient books, the development of Pingtung City was started around Kangsi 21st year reign Qing Dynasty (1684) by the residents from Haicheng County Fujian Province Mainland China.  They first built a simple village at downtown, then the village was expanded little by little until it became a city with quite a bit scale.

Transformed from the wasteland in the past to be the location of Pingtung County Government at present, the Jhaoyang Gate standing still at the original location is the most famous historical landscape in Pingtung.  Tracing back to the old time, not only the Jhaoyang Gate that firmly protected the city and moat but also the picture of the small trains carried sugar through the field and the Kaoping Bridge with elegant style are the most impressive things about Pingtung in memories.

This station is 24.648 m to the starting point of Kaohsiung Harbor Station.  If taking a train at Kaohsiung Station, one will see a long-dragon-shape iron bridge after three stops; that is Kaoping River Bridge.  It was once made of iron, even it was still firm after 70-year aging with all the winds and rains; however, due to the policy and safety concern, the other concrete bridge was build in 1991.  Now, people can no more hear the noise of “longlong” when cars passing, it can only be heard in one’s memories!  In less than 7 minutes, the train will arrive the biggest station in the south-Pingtung Station after passing Kaoping River Bridge, which is located at the most prosperous downtown area.

》The Traces of A-hou
The historical remains of the East Gate of A-hou Ancient city was made of red bricks and it was once called Xiadanshuei Inspection Branch Office under the jurisdiction of Fongshan County (the present kaohsiung.)  It was erected in Daoguang 16th reign of Qing Dynasty.  During Japanese rule, the Japanese striped down the city and there was only the East Gate “Jhaoyang Gate” left, which is just the trace of A-hou we see today.

》Cigfong Temple
It is located on Jhongshan Rd, the downtown of Pingtung City, very close to the train station.  The primary god is Machu, also named the Holy Heavenly Mother and locally called Machu Temple.  Residents on the coast villages of Cyuanjhou Fujian who immigrated to Taiwan for business operations erected it for over 200 years ago during Cianlong reign of Qing Dynasty because they all believed that Machu was the Ocean God who could rescue them from dangers. The adherents of this folk religion mainly prayed for being safe.  Incenses are burning all year round and the pilgrims coming restlessly.  Every year, the grand ceremonies will be held for these two important days on both lunar calendar of Mar. 23-Machu’s birthday and Sept. 9 Chongyang Festival (Double Nine), then the place will be packed up with a scene of bustle and excitement.

》Tungshan Temple
It is an anciently and simply historical temple with gray walls and black roof tiles.  The structure is just simple and elegant.  There is no fancy sculptures or luxurious decorations to please the public’s eyes, only absolutely out-of-world purity to be presented.  The main God-Sakyamuni in the primary palace looks calm and serious.  The shady garden with flowers and banyan trees bring out the peace and elegance of this place.  Wandering in this place with sounds of bells and drums showering and scripture murmuring, one’s heart can be calmed and comforted.

》Confucius Temple
Pingtung Confucius Temple was once Pingtung Academy, erected in Chiacing 20th year reign of Qing Dynasty and it was also the place where the scholars gave lectures.  Since it was an academic structure, the structure itself is superior to be classically simple and elegant.  There is nowhere to see carved pillars or painting walls and there is no couplets carved, which was meant not to show off literary works in front of Confucius.

》The Martial Temple
Guanggong is worshiped here, formally called Shendi Temple (Holy Emperor).  This temple was erected in Cianlong 45th year reign of Qing Dynasty due to the later generations respecting his spirits of bravery and courage.  People came from far and close places to worship and burned the incenses restlessly. It was restored in Guangsu 30th year reign and again in 1970.  The scale of the temple is spectacular and the appearance is a brand new look.

》Iron Bridge
Kaoping Iron Bridge was built in 1914, across Kaoping River.  The whole length is 1526 meters with elegant style.  It is the longest iron bridge in Taiwan and was designed and constructed by the Japanese engineer Iida Toyuji and it took 8 years to complete.

Kenting National Park
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