Changhua Cultral Travels
Lukang��s historical sites
make this little town
a favorite for cultural
and artistic travelers.
This is Longshan Temple,
which is over 360 years
old. While some come to
pray for good health and
fortune, many are also
here for some architectural
appreciation.
Zheng
Wu-lang, Changhua
Travel Expert:
This is a Northern
Sung style building.
The stone sculptures
are quite splendid.
There are carvings
that are to bring
you fortune. There��s
a crab holding a pen
to help you do well
in academic endeavors.
The most distinguishing
feature of this temple
is the stage, the
weight is evenly dispersed
and there isn��t a
single nail in this
structure.
Michella
Jade Weng, Presenter:
In addition to Longshan
Temple, there many
more historical buildings
in Lukang. Would you
like to have coffee
in one of them? Follow
me.
This
used to be the home
of a wealthy family
surnamed ��Ding.�� A
member of the family
was once a presented
scholar in the imperial
examinations. Though
the historical home
is quite exquisite,
the family no longer
lives here, but it
is open to visitors
to have a look, or
to sit down and have
some afternoon tea.
Around
the lantern festival,
while most Taiwanese
people will eat boiled
glutinous rice balls,
residents of Lukang
take steamed glutinous
rice balls stuffed
with the likes of
sweet red bean paste,
sesame or peanut powder.
This
is made with rice,
from rice milk.
Shape your thumb and
index finger into
a C, then it won��t
fall out. Then you
put it on a leaf.
It makes it much more
fragrant and gives
it a very traditional
taste.
Sie
Siou-ying, Pastry
Chef:
With the peanut flavor,
we do something special
around the Lantern
Festival. There��s
an orange and tangerine
aroma. We add tangerine,
winter melon, sesame,
peanuts, about ten
different things and
mix it all together.
And
while old traditions
are carried on, new
ones are also being
created. This is a
glass temple; it��s
the first of its kind
in the country. It��s
particularly beautiful
at night when lit
up in various colors.
When you do come,
the wish you make
just might be to have
the chance to visit
this part of the country
again.
