Local History and Natural Habitat
The Nansi District was formerly known as the "Jiaba Community", and was one of the early territories of the Taivoan, as well as where the Zou resided. Later, due to the invasion of the Siraya tribe, the community members later migrated out to regions such as Gongguan, Paoziliao (Kaohsiung County), and Daciouyuan. During the time of the Japanese occupation, because of its location at the west of the "Nanzihsian River", it was therefore renamed Nansi ("si" meaning "west"). A village and village hall were established here, under the governance of Sinhua District of Tainan Province. After the war in 1945, it was renamed Nansi Township, and was changed to Nansi District after the merging of Tainan City and County on December 25th, 2010. Over the course of its historical development, there was one major event that significantly impacted the region for the next century. The "Tapani Incident" which led to the butchering of its 2000 households and over 15,000 people by the Japanese police, greatly reduced the local population and further led to the outflow of population in the mountain regions. A recent study shows that the local population count on November 31st, 2010 was 10,670.
Nansi District is located at the northeastern tip of Tainan City, placing it in the end-tail region of the Alishan Range. Having Dongshan District, Dapu Township of Jiayi County to its north, Nanhua District to its east, Lioujia and Danei Districts to its west, and connecting to Yujing District to its south, Nanxi District has a total area of 109.6316 square kilometers, divided into 7 townships and 123 neighborhoods. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with Tai-bu-long Basin at its center, and is a traditional agricultural community. Fruits are Nansi’s primary agricultural products, as well as its main source of financial income. The main agricultural products include: Star fruits, plums, dates, mangos, and longan. Due to the wealth of its variety and quantity of fruits, it is also known as the "Region of A Hundred Fruits".
Nansi Tourism
Nansi is situated in the mountains, with Provincial Highway 3 going through the entire district and is located on the way to the Zengwun Reservoir. The district is convenient in transportation, offers beautiful mountain scenery, and provides a rich ecology in vegetation with comfortable mountain trails. It is a favorite location for hikers and serves as a key tourism spot in Taiwan. Nansi District has cascading mountains, beautiful scenery, rich culture, and its famous scenic areas include Zengwsn Reservoir Scenic Area, Lutaoyang Jiang’s Historic Residence, Meiling Scenic Area, Wanciou Pingpu Kuwa, Gueidan Hot Spring, Yongsing Suspension Bridge, Nansi Leisure Park, and the religious holy ground of Syuankong Temple. These spots are all worth a visit.
1. Zengwun Reservoir Scenic Area
The Zengwun Reservoir is the largest water reservoir in Taiwan, spanning over the Tainan and Jiayi regions, while having a multitude of functions, such as irrigation, power-generation, water supply, flood-prevention, and tourism. "The Waters of Zengwun" has been awarded as one of the best scenic areas of the Tainan region. The narrow Zengwun Reservoir provides a great and wide view over its waters. The beautiful lake scenery at the reservoir connects with surrounding leisure sports, forming the gorgeous Zengwun Reservoir Scenic Area.
2. Meiling Scenic Area
Meiling was originally called the "Banana Mountain”, and it began to be a site of plum tree cultivation after banana trees were in decline. Every year around the time of the New Year, the plum flowers blossom and emit their fragrance, leading to the reputation of "Plum Blossoms at Meiling” and crowning it as one of the top tourist attractions in Tainan.
Meiling is also the largest cultivation area for plum trees in southern Taiwan, with over 200,000 trees spread over the mountainside at 400 meters in altitude to the mountaintops at 800 meters in altitude, with a wealth of plums trees over 50 years of age along the mountain trails.
The flowering season in Meiling spans approximately from December to January or February. The blooming of white plum flowers are like snow, drawing endless tourists here. The fruit-harvesting season was from the end of March to mid-May and the fruit can be used to make plum chicken and a variety of other plum food products.
The firefly season at Meiling spans from mid-April to the end of June. Fireflies serve as an indicator for the environment, for their habitat is easily compromised by destruction, pollution, the use of pesticides, and light pollution. The farmers of Meilinlg adopt organic farming, maintaining a good environment for the survival of the fireflies, which make up the gorgeous view of tens of thousands of fireflies flying through the night sky. This enables the public to be aware of our efforts devoted to protecting the natural resources and ecology.
3. Gueidan Hot Spring
Gueidan Village is a mysterious settlement in the shallow mountains of Nansi. It was the dwelling place of the Plains aborigines, but a tragic anti-Japanese movement happened here during the Japanese occupation. Gueidan Hot Springs is one of the two largest hot spring areas in Tainan. There are five springs in Gueidan: smelly springs, clear springs, mud springs, carbonic springs, and salty carbonic springs, matching the characteristics of the five Chinese elements (Wu Sing) metal, wood, water, fire, earth, thus it is commonly referred to by elders as the Wu Sing Springs. The Gueidan Leisure Experience Farm was the first legal hostel in Gueidan, serving as a hot spring and leisure farm.
4. Lutaoyang Jiang’s Historic Residence
Jiang’s Historic Residence is the largest of the traditional single-surnamed settlements, which are rare in Taiwan. This a large traditional estate complex built in a four-tier three-courtyard structure with a cluster of six wings on the left and seven wings on the right. It was listed as a "registered settlement" and "historic building" by the Ministry of Culture in July, 2009. From the outside in, there are the god-worshipping kiosk, ancestry-worshipping hall, god’s shrine, and ancestor’s shrine. There are 13 rows of housing, featuring 136 rooms. Additionally, there are outdoor activity environments including a plaza, a fish pond, and a rear-mountain. The key feature is that over 10 generations have lived here without being separated. The whole settlement is managed by its company, which prohibited the construction of tall buildings. The Jiang family has prospered in number, but still maintains a family structure of a traditional agricultural community. The historic residence is filled with historical significance, and is regarded as a living museum for settlements.
5. Syuankong Temple
The Syuankong Temple primarily worships Guan Yu. In 1999, the Jingjhaoyang Temple Management Committee actively promoted the construction of the Syuankong Temple as a venue for the worshippers. Today, the Syuangkong Temple stands as a grand venue accommodating a gigantic area, gorgeous architecture, serene environment, and rare stones.
6. Yongsing Suspension Bridge and Nansi Leisure Park
Yongsing Suspension Bridge and Nansi Leisure Park are new tourist attractions in Nansi. It was because of the former Nansi Township Chief, now the Nansi District Chief, Mr. Jiang Sinying’s promotion that Nansi District was made into an emerging tourist leisure area. The Nansi Leisure Park is serene and well-established with a wealth of flourishing trees, as well as resting pavilions and walking trails, providing the citizens of Nansi with a great leisure location. The Yongsing Suspension Bridge has a total length of 346 meters with LED lights shining at night, adding to the beauty of the night view. Nansi District is rich in history and culture, has a flourishing fruit industry, and boasts of beautiful landscapes, making it a secluded paradise for all.
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