Tainan offers 'Chen Shuniang' walking tour during Ghost Month

Tainan is offering a unique walking tour during the "Ghost Month" in the lunar calendar, focusing on the legend of Chen Shuniang. This event, launched by the city's Tourism and Travel Bureau, invites people to explore Tainan's historic streets and temples while learning about the century-old tale.

The "Chen Shuniang Legend" is one of Tainan's three great mysteries from the late Qing Dynasty. It tells a story of a woman's tragic life and her legendary confrontation with Guangze Zunwang. Beyond the supernatural elements, the legend reflects the social, religious, and folk customs of the time, remaining a popular story in the city.

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The legend of Chen Shuniang's divine manifestation is one of Tainan's three great mysteries from the late Qing Dynasty.

Three local historians and guides, Cai Yiming, Cao Yicheng, and Huang Wenhuang, have curated the tour. It begins with Cai Yiming discussing Chen Shuniang and Madam Gu Fuma, followed by Cao Yicheng and Huang Wenhuang leading participants from Gu Fuma Temple. The route includes seven significant locations: the East Market (site of the Tainan Prefecture's Hall of Records), Tainan City God Temple, Dongyue Temple, Yonghua Palace Guangze Zunwang, Dehua Hall, and the memorial tablet of Chen Shuniang at the Confucius Temple's Hall of Filial Piety and Chastity.

The tour aims to go beyond just recounting folk tales. By visiting historical sites, religious centers, and cultural heritage spots, organizers hope participants will gain a deeper understanding of Tainan's development and its rich historical heritage as an ancient capital. The free event runs for four sessions from August 15 to September 5, with each session limited to 30 people. Participants completing the tour will receive a bookmark from the Tainan City God Temple and a blessed safety charm from Yonghua Palace.

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The walking tour is not just about introducing folk stories; it's hoped that through historical sites, religious beliefs, and cultural assets, the public can understand Tainan's development trajectory and feel the deep historical heritage of Tainan as a cultural ancient capital.