Additionally, the walking tour covered traditional Minnan-style residential architecture and the Fudingjin Baoan Temple. Participants climbed Fudingjin Hill to enjoy scenic views of Lion Head Mountain and Golden Lion Lake. Through the activity, participants not only experienced the diversity of the upper stream of the Love River but also gained insight into the development of the riverbanks and the way of life in early Kaohsiung.

The architectural features of this temple are truly unique and awe-inspiring. Here are three key highlights to pay attention to:

1.Dragon and Phoenix Sculptures:

These sculptures are a perfect blend of beauty and symbolism! The dragon represents divine power over the heavens and seas, capable of summoning rain and controlling clouds. It is regarded in folklore as a symbol of auspiciousness and nobility, even revered by ancient people as an emblem of emperors.

The phoenix, on the other hand, is considered the king of birds, symbolizing happiness, prosperity, and national peace, embodying the grace and dignity of an empress. Beyond their symbolic meaning, the dragon and phoenix sculptures also serve a practical purpose—they help prevent fire damage, making them an essential element of the temple's fire safety measures!

2.Cochin ware

Cochin ware is an indispensable decorative element in Taiwanese temple architecture. Originating from Tang Dynasty tri-colored ceramics, it is a type of low-fired glazed soft pottery characterized by its vibrant colors and intricate designs.

You’ll often spot it adorning the upper sections of temples, such as walls, ridges, roof beams, decorative bands, gable finials, bird mounts, eave-end decorations, and even screen walls. This exquisite craft not only enhances the artistic appeal of the architecture but also showcases the meticulous craftsmanship and ingenuity of traditional artisans.

3.Caisson

The caisson not only adds a sense of grandeur and magnificence to the interior space but also serves practical purposes! It helps to partition overly high spaces, maintains a comfortable indoor temperature, and prevents dust from falling, making it an all-around functional design.

In earlier times, caisson designs were primarily square-shaped. By the Liao, Song, and Jin dynasties, more intricate designs, such as the Douba Caisson, emerged, showcasing a higher level of craftsmanship and detail.

To provide participants with a tangible understanding of the lecture’s concepts, the community arranged a heritage tour in September. Led by Mr. Wu, the group visited Zuoying’s Ciji Temple, Qiming Hall, and Chenghuang Temple, exploring how temple architecture reflects the hierarchical distinctions among deities. For instance, temples dedicated to high-ranking deities often feature red circular pillars and elaborate designs, while those for subordinate deities tend to use simpler, gray elements. Temple gates and altar heights also symbolize divine rank: grand gates adorned with gold edges and elevated altars signify higher authority, whereas modest gates and lower altars are typical for lower-ranking deities.

The Cao Gong Irrigation Channel was once the lifeline of the Zuoying area, providing sufficient irrigation water for agriculture, promoting prosperity in farming, and playing an indispensable role in drainage and flood prevention, safeguarding the lives and property of the residents. Within the premises of the old Zuoying Junior High School, many ancient waterways carved in the 22nd year of the Qing Daoguang era (in 1842 AD), such as the “Shiwugo Irrigation Channel,” “Qianfeng Irrigation Channel,” and “Turtle Head Flume,” have been preserved. These historical irrigation channels have been retained and protected from destruction during the development of the site. Observing nearby channels like the “Naba Irrigation Channel,” “Zhouzaiyang Irrigation Channel,” and “Linzaibian Irrigation Channel” also reveals traces of history. The preservation of these channels is attributed to the relentless efforts of various historians and associations, continuing to play a part in the local cultural and historical narrative, inspiring ongoing exploration, and understanding of history and culture.

Additionally, Professor Guo briefly introduced the architectural features of some remnants of the Cao Gong Irrigation Channel. One notable structure is the water control gate of the old channel, known as the "Five-Hole Culvert" due to its five water inlet holes. At that time, Cao Jin used the five culverts, with brick-built arches, to regulate the inflow of water. Another noteworthy aspect is the boat-shaped steps at the bottom of the gate. Besides reducing the impact of water flow, these steps also served as a platform for personnel operations, such as handling items. Insights into such details reveal that a water channel project required consideration of various external environmental conditions to create a structure that aligns with the time and place.

In front of the town gate, there was a protective moat dating back to the Qing Dynasty, which was once the path of Cao Gong's canal for irrigation. The design beneath the bridge piers is hexagonal, facilitating the flow of water. Professor Zhang's narration enlightened us, revealing that a seemingly ordinary town wall structure is, in fact, carefully designed and constructed. Besides ensuring the safety of residents within the town, it also plays a role in the economic development of agriculture and commerce. Following this, participants climbed Turtle Mountain together. Professor Zhang began introducing the bunkers, artillery positions, and secret passage on the mountain, all built during the Japanese colonial period. Despite Turtle Mountain's modest elevation, with its highest point at only about 63 meters, it serves as an excellent vantage point for overlooking the entire Lotus pond and the townscape. For the Zuoying Naval Base, it is also the best viewpoint. Consequently, we learned that Turtle Mountain occupies an extremely vital strategic position. When facing external threats, whether in defense, detection, or concealment, Turtle Mountain emerges as an ideal choice.

Next, Mr. Liao led the students to the lakeside of Lotus Pond, recounting the rich legendary stories here. What captivated everyone's interest was the story of the "Umbrella Cave." This is a well-known local legend story, which claims that during afternoon thunderstorms, there is a spot on the water surface where rain never falls, as if there's an umbrella blocking it from above! Whether it's related to scientific magnetic fields or the protective influence of mysterious forces, interpretations vary among individuals. The location of the "Umbrella Cave" is said to be above the statue of the Xuantian Shangdi (The deity of the Big Dipper) . Zuoying Old Town is filled with various rich and fascinating folk stories. Even if they are just legends, for the locals, they hold significant value, adding vibrant colors to the entire culture and history. Furthermore, Mr. Liao also led the group in climbing Turtle Mountain, reciting the famous "Eight Scenes of Turtle Mountain" by poet Zhuo Zhaochang. In the poem, phrases such as "mountain mist at dawn, layered rocks in the evening glow, spring trees in the rain, sparse woods under the moon, clear peaks overlooking the sea, ancient temples with fragrant breezes, climbing the peak for a wild gaze, and the cries of apes in the cold night” highlight Turtle Mountain as the best vantage point to appreciate the entire old town's beauty. By comparing old photos of Turtle Mountain with its current landscape, the same location exhibits stark changes, allowing the participants to instantly feel the rise and fall of the old town over a century.