Starting from Kunshen, worship the god of faith and righteousness

Every time I visit Nankunshen Daitianfu, I always feel a solemn and peaceful mood in my heart.
This is not just one of the temples in Tainan, but an important spiritual fortress of Taiwanese folk beliefs.
A temple with a history of more than 300 years, prosperous incense, and the continuous inheritance of the Wangchuan culture.
When you stand in front of the spectacular mountain gate, what greets you is not only the smell of incense, but also the momentum of traveling through time and space.
In an instant, you can understand why this place is called the "King's General Temple" -
The place where the Five Mansions Thousand Years sit in charge has a sense of righteousness.

👑 Let's get to know Nankunshen: the headquarters of the Wangye faith
Nankunshen Daitianfu mainly worships the Five Mansions Thousand Years, which are the five kings Li, Chi, Wu, Zhu, and Fan.
It is said that it originated in the Ming Zheng period. The Wangchuan drifted to the seaside of Kunshen, and the local believers welcomed it back for worship, and the incense has never ceased since then.

This temple has a special status. It is the earliest and most representative temple of the king in Taiwan.
In the Qing Dynasty, it was officially named "Dai Tianfu", which means it is ordered to patrol on behalf of the gods, exorcise evil spirits, and protect the people.
Not only believers from all over Taiwan, but also believers from Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam overseas, will come to worship regularly.

🏯 The scale and momentum of the building are absolutely not inferior to any palace-level temples
The temple layout adopts the traditional five-entry style, the main hall is magnificent, with carved beams and painted buildings, flying eaves and corners, and exquisite details
The main hall hangs a plaque with the words "imperial seal Dai Tianfu", symbolizing the orthodox status certified by the royal family
The statues of the five thousand-year-olds in the shrine are solemn and steady, with different expressions and full of aura
There are a king ship exhibition hall and a cultural relic hall on both sides, where you can appreciate cultural assets such as king ships, ritual instruments, and ancient documents up close
The temple courtyard is spacious and magnificent, and is an important venue for holding processions and king-level ceremonies

The most impressive thing is that when you stand in the square in front of the temple and look back, **the overall temple is like a fortress on the seaside, with a steady but friendly aura, **no wonder the locals say this is the "home of the king".

🛶 King ship culture: the essence of marine beliefs
The most special thing about Nankunshen is the **"King-level Festival" and "Sending King Ship Ceremony"** held every few years.
This is a large-scale ceremony that integrates art, faith, history and folklore, and is considered one of the most representative temple fairs in Taiwan.
The King's Boat will be handcrafted with traditional techniques and decorated ornately, symbolizing the king's tour
The ceremony includes inviting the king, building a ceremony, circumambulating the land, and sending the king off, and each link is precise and solemn
The King's Boat is finally towed to the seaside and burned, symbolizing "sending away plague and disaster, and blessing the four directions"

This is one of the most moving scenes of faith I have ever seen. Whether you believe in God or not, you will be moved by the piety and unity.

📍【Nankunshendai Tianfu Information Notes】
Location: No. 976, Kunjiangli, Beimen District, Tainan City
Opening hours: 06:00–21:00 daily
Tickets: Free to worship
Recommended stay time: about 1.5–2 hours
Recommended month: Wangjiao ceremonies are mostly held in the autumn of the lunar calendar (check official announcements)
Surrounding attractions: Beimen Visitor Center, Crystal Church, Qianlai Grocery Store, Shuangchun Coastal Recreation Area

💭 Nankunshendai Tianfu is not only a center of faith, but also a microcosm of Taiwanese folk culture.
This place witnesses the marine culture, religious integration and the collective memory of the people.
Whether you come to worship, take photos, watch the ceremony, or just walk around quietly,
you can feel the deepest protection from the land in this thousand-year-old altar.

#5月好去处2025