One of the ten best historical sites in Tainan

Discover the Landmark of Yanshui

Octagonal House, a beautiful wooden architecture which took 10 years to build, was established in 1845.  It has been perfectly preserved in Yanshui as the landmark for more than one hundred years.

Once a Wealthy Sugar Merchant's Premise

Yanshui was a busy inland seaport back then. Octagonal House was built by the rich sugar merchant Yeh and his four sons as a business premise. They shipped  sugar to Mainland China and brought back silk to Taiwan market. Since silk was much lighter than sugar, people used China Fir, tiles, bricks and stones as bottom freight to stabilize the ships. Those "bottom freight" also became the materials to build Octagonal House.

The Lane at the Back

Lian Cheng Lane, the lane at the back of Octagonal House, was named after Lian Cheng Yeh Co. owned by the Yeh family.

Craftsmanship

Octagonal house was accomplished by the masters from China with the finest China Fir and limestone. It was said that the house was built without any sketch but purely out of their creativity and masterly craftsmanship. 

Experience the Architectural Beauty

The two-story building is supported by twelve logs of 24 meters long China Fir, featuring its octagonal shape roof.  All components were fastened with mortise and tenon joints, not a single nail used. Such property was considered one of the grandest courtyard residences of the era.

Witnessing the history of Taiwan

Architectural Details

Windows, Emblems of Culture

As symbolic meaning has played a significant role in culture, "visual puns" can be found in Octagonal House in every possible way. 

This antique window lattice is constructed of hand-carved wood with a flower and gourd-like design in the middle, which constitute into a large circle resembling an old Chinese cash coin (round with a square hole in the middle). Flowers generally represent wealth. Gourd is seen as a symbol for health in former times, doctors carried medicine inside it, so it has fabled healing properties. The Chinese cash coins are a potent symbol of wealth and prosperity. These are all popular good luck symbols. 

Windows, Culture of the Family

Whether in the shape of the frame or the pattern inside it, the culture of the family and their way of life are reflected in the windows. The windows are scroll-shaped like books. Bamboo is also viewed as a symbol of traditional Chinese values; its tall and straight stem represents honor; its hollow interior, modesty; and its clean and spartan exterior, chastity.

The threshold is carved with bats with wings extended, a witty hint of blessing since it shares an identical pronunciation with the word "luck" in Mandarin Chinese. 

"Queti," the parallel brackets under the beam, is a weight-bearing piece at the intersection between a beam and a column in traditional buildings. There are four brackets in Octagonal House which are carved with cranes bringing the four main academic and artistic accomplishments required of the ancient Chinese scholar-gentlemen: stringed instrument, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

The upper part of the 4-piece hand carved doors are 4 ancient stories (left to right):

Purple Qi from the east: In Laozi 's (571-471 BCE) old age, he grew weary of the moral decay in society, and decided to journey westward. On the way to Hangu Pass, a guardian of Hangu Pass noticed purple Qi was coming from the east, feeling that it was a good omen which indicated the approach of a sage. When Laozi arrived, the guardian begged him to provide some guidance, and Laozi wrote Dao De Jing, which later became a fundamental text of Daoism.

Seven sages of the bamboo grove: A group of scholars and poets of the mid-3rd century CE who banded together to escape from the corruption atmosphere of political world to a life of freedom of individual expression and independent thinking.

Visiting intelligent scholar in Weishui: King Wen (1112-1050 BEC) was in search of talented people. He found Jiang Ziya fishing in Weishui and discovered that this white-haired fisherman was actually an astute political thinker and appointed him prime minister.

Paying three visits to the thatched cottage: During China's Three Kingdoms period (220-265 CE), the king Liu Bei heard of the intelligence and knowledge of Zhuge Liang and decided to invite him to be his strategist. He invited him three times in the winter time and with patience. Zhuge Liang was impressed by his sincerity and agreed to help him rule the country.

The curved bricks used in the arched doorway requires higher brick burning techniques.

The second floor has one living room and four bedrooms. The corridor is full of wooden shutters which can be opened and closed by turning the strip in the middle to the left or right.

One of the two staircases in Octagonal House. The five circles built from clay in the window forms into an old Chinese cash coin.

16-petal chrysanthemums 

The two flowers carved in 16 petal chrysanthemums are the symbols of the national seal used by the emperor of Japan and members of the Imperial Family.

Feng Shui Money Toad 

Money Toad is a mythological creature with three legs that is said to attract abundance and prosperity. This is why you can often find a Money Toad on Chinese restaurant counters or other Chinese establishment. Could you tell where the Money Toads are in Octagonal House?

(They are on the roof painted in white)

Shaved Ice Shop

Yin Feng Shaved Ice Shop - the Matchmaking BFF

This shaved ice shop has over 50 years of history and it is right next to Octagonal House. Watermelon lemonade and egg shaved ice are its signature desserts. Having an egg was a luxurious treat back then and people used to hold  matchmaking here. It is said that matchmaking would have a higher success rate if egg shave ice was served.

You may also find out more about Octagonal House and its fascinating stories from the owner!

Event - Tainan Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival

https://www.twtainan.net/yanshuifireworks/en

(14~15, the first month on the lunar calendar)

@Yanshui Wu Temple

Lord Guan chair will depart from the temple and parade through Yanshui. Followers along the way will set off firework racks in front of their doorways.

@Yanshui Junior High

The main firework rack will be set up on the sports field of Yanshui Junior High. A large quantity of beehive fireworks will be lit simultaneously for participants to experience the excitement of "running through the beehive fireworks."

@Through the entire district

Lord Guan chair will parade through the entire district, and followers along the way will set of beehive fireworks.

Find out more on Yanshui Wu Temple Blogspot.

Event - Yuejin Lantern Festival

https://www.facebook.com/yuejinlanternfestival/

Breath with the Light

@Yuejin Road, Yanshui Dist., Tainan Taiwan
@Kangli Road, Yanshui Dist., Tainan Taiwan

An immersive and emotional experience

Every year, artistic lantern works by art groups of 20 countries are exquisitely displayed on the water of Yuejin Harbor Water Park. With a different theme each year, it takes you into a living dream world every time with pleasant surprises.

Nearby Attractions - Yanshui Wu Temple

EVERY JANUARY 14-16 OF THE LUNAR CALENDAR, thousands of soaring firecrackers are set off into the crowd at Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival. People believe that running through the flying fireworks brings luck all year. 

How is the Festival related to Wu Temple?

According to legend, the festival started in the late 19th century. It was told that there was a terrible pandemic spreading in Yanshui area, and it caused the death of thousands of people. Local residents prayed to god Lord Guan of Wu Temple to end the suffering and a miracle happened: Lord Guan instructed people to set off fireworks while trailing behind his sedan chair parading around Yanshui streets. The procession lasted until dawn and the plague was gone!

Don't forget your spacesuit-style costume

Feel the excitement and gear up for what CNN Travel calls "the undeniably one of the world's most dangerous celebrations." 

Address: No. 87, Wumiao Rd., Yanshui Dist., Tainan, Taiwan

Nearby Attractions - Yanshui Catholic Church

"Dragons and steamed buns at Taiwan's temple-like church"

- Kuwait Times-

"Christianity with Chinese characteristics"

- The Standard -

WOW! Yes, WOW!

You might have been to grand churches and cathedrals in the world, but take a deep breath when you step into this one-- this Holy Trinity Church in Yanshui. 

The mural's figures from the Bible on the interior walls are all Chinese-looking saints, wearing Chinese-style clothing. An incense bowl is placed in the front of the church for people to worship God. Poems were carved on the red pillars inside the church. The decor resembles thousands of Buddhist and Taoist temples in Taiwan, yet still keeps a Catholic soul in it.

A temple? A church?

The exterior of the church looks nothing like a church but a ubiquitous temple in Taiwan until you notice the Christian crosses. Even the Chinese name of the church is called "Ji Tian Dian," which literally means "Heaven Worship Palace," a common term used in Buddhist or Taoist tradition.

Taiwanese version of "The Last Supper"

Jesus and each of his apostles use chopsticks and eat baozi (steam bun) instead of bread. The church was built 60 years ago by a German missionary Fr. Eusebius in a traditional Catholic style. To attract more followers, Fr. Shaofeng Li began rebuilding it in 1986 to a more Chinese-style church by adapting to a local religious environment. 

Note: 72% of Taiwanese population are Taoist or Buddhist, 4.5% Christians, and 1.5% Catholics.

Address: No. 19, Ximen Rd., Yanshui Dist., Tainan, Taiwan

Nearby Attractions - Streets, Lanes, and Numerous Temples in Yanshui

Yanshui is one of the oldest towns in Taiwan, and most of the attractions nearby Octagonal House are within walking distance. Come take a relaxing walk in the small allies and lanes that soak people in the simple and old world charm.

Strolling down Yanshui's history

Each ally, lane, or road has its own story. People name Chao Qin Road after the late famous politician Chao-Qin Huang (first mayor of Taipei City) not only because he's from here, but also because he's the man that brought the First Bank branch here in 1917. The lane behind the First Bank is also called the "First Bank Lane (Yi Yin Xiang)."

Address: Lane 10, Wumiao Rd., Yanshui Dist., Tainan, Taiwan

The allies and lanes are full of old vibes; temples and shrines are also seen everywhere.

Address: Wangye Temple. No. 16, Lane 3, Zhongshan Rd., Yanshui Dist., Tainan, Taiwan

Providing people with sense of security

Hubi Temple is a temple to Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess whose life span is dated back to the years of 960 to 987. She was thought to roam the seas, protecting her believers through miraculous interventions. 

Yanshui used to be an inland port, and most people's livelihood relied greatly on the sea. Mazuism is popular in Taiwan, and though Hubi Temple is not the grandest Mazu temple in Taiwan, it is the one that gives local people the feeling of security all through the years. 

Address: No. 140, Zhongzheng Rd., Yanshui Dist., Tainan, Taiwan

Fish Scale Lane

In the past, fish venders used to carry fish through this lane from the port to the market. As they passed through the lane, the fish scales fell like glitters on the sun-showered path, and hence came the name "Fish Scale Lane (Yu Lin Xiang)."

Address: On Zhongzheng Rd., across from Hubi Temple.

What was once river in front of Yanshui Dajhong Temple...

Located at No. 7 wumiao road, Yanshui Dajhong Temple was established in 1675. It is also named "Juboting" because the place was previously a beautiful pavilion facing prosperous Yanshui port in the early time. 

Address: No. 7, Wumiao Rd., Yanshui Dist., Tainan, Taiwan

Lovely shop houses

Those shop houses are mostly on Zhongzheng Road, built with modern building practices and European aesthetics, bringing  blends of Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Deco into the design, adding decorative qualities to large and durable structures.

Nearby Attractions - YongCheng Theater

Originally a rice mill, now a theater

The rice mill was completed in 1942 during the period of Japanese Rule (1895-1945). The rice mill was partially damaged in the fire of World War II and was converted into a theater.

Guessing Game

The grandpa in front of the family photo on the wall of YongCheng Theater is the descendent of the Huang family and the owner of the Theater. Guess which one in this old photo is he.
(He is the baby held by a woman on the very side of the picture.)

Grandpa, in his old age, still manages the theater and tells the story of his family and the theater with glittering eyes.

Address: No. 21, Guogang, Yanshui Dist., Tainan, Taiwan 

Nearby Attractions - Qiaonan Old Street

Discovering the glorious past

"Yanshui," literally meaning salt water, was the inland port and used to be one of the four busiest maritime towns in Taiwan in the 18th century, now declined after the plague, silt up of the port, and World War II.

Rich merchant Lee's Old Houses

Lee was one of the richest families in Yanshui in the 18th century. Those houses were where they used to run sugar and salt business in. Now one of the houses was sold and modified, and the other two were kept in its original look.

Symbols of the rich

Solid bricks are symbols of rich households. In early times, solid bricks were made and shipped from Mainland China and were used to put weight in ships for stability. That's the material and craftsmanship only the rich can afford.

200 year-old blacksmith shop run by the 5th generation

Blacksmith Lee has been forging knives for over 60 years. According to him, the knives are soaked into the "noon water" collected at 11:45 am of May 5th lunar calendar. It is believed that the water collected then has the strongest yang (positive) energy which gives strength and sharpness to blades.

Address: Qiaonan St., Yanshui Dist., Tainan, Taiwan

Nearby Street Food - Eat like a local!

Yanshui Egg noodles

Egg noodles, pronounced "yi-mien" in Mandarin Chinese, are a kind of traditional Taiwanese noodles made of eggs, flours, and salt without a single drop of water. It was first made from local duck eggs by the cooks of Zheng Chenggong (17th century Ming dynasty loyalist) 's army in Yanshui.

One of the theories about the origin of its name is that sounds like "yi" was shouted out when people worked hard to knead the tough dough without water. The name of Yi-mien (mien = noodles)" was thus coined. Compared to the making of regular noodles, it takes triple the amount of time to make egg noodles.

• A-San Egg Noodles 阿三意麵：Yanshui Street Food Market, No. 56 Kangle Rd. Yanshui Dist.
• A-Tong Egg Noodles 阿桐意麵：No. 4-6, Xinyi Rd., Yanshui District. Open: 08:00-10:30. Closed on Tuesdays.
• Qiaonan Old Street Coffee Shop 橋南美食咖啡：No. 13, Qiaonan St., Yanshui Dist.

Bean sprout noodles

Bean sprout noodles is kind of thiner and shorter noodles made of rice bean. It can go with either oysters or milkfish.

• Yanshui Bean Sprout Noodles 鹽水豆簽羹：No. 19, Chaoqin Rd., Yanshui Dist. Open 14:00-19:00.

Pan stem-fried bun

Offering different kinds of fillings like pork with scallion, pork with diced bamboo sprout, peanut, and red bean.

• Yanshui Pan Steam-Fried Bun 鹽水煎包：Cross section of Chaoqin Rd., and Zhongzheng Rd. Open: 14:30-18:00.

Winter melon tea

Made of natural winter melon and is great for reducing body heat in summer.

• Yanshui Street Food Market Winter Melon Tea 鹽水點心城冬瓜茶：No. 2-4, Zhongshan Rd., Yanshui Dist.

Rouyan Cake

Rouyan cake is made with the filling mixed by pork and minced fish together. It's a traditional local food that's deep-fried and you can have it either in soup or with noodles.

• A-Tong Egg Noodles 阿桐意麵：No. 4-6, Xinyi Rd., Yanshui Dist. Open: 08:00-19:30. Closed on Tuesdays.

How to get here

Taxi

Taxi Service & Accredited English-speaking Taxi drivers

Public transportation

1. Chiayi HSR Station 嘉義高鐵站

• Walk to the bus station through Chiayi HSR Station Exit 2 and take Yellow Line Bus Y9 黃線巴士黃9.
• Timetable

2. Get off at Xinying Bus Station 新營客運站（also near Xinying Train Station 新營車站）

• Chiayi HSR Station -> Xinying Bus Station (about 40 minutes, 97 NTD/person)

3. Take Brown Line bus 棕線巴士、棕1、棕2、棕3

• Brown Line Bus
• Brown Line Bus BR1
• Brown Line Bus BR2
• Brown Line Bus BR3
• Timetable

4. Get off at Yanshui Stop 鹽水站, or ask the driver to tell you when to disembark.

• Xinying Bust Station -> Yanshui Stop (about 20 minutes, 26 NTD/person)
• Yanshui Stop address: No. 23, Wumiao Rd., Yanshui District.

5. Walk to Octagonal House 八角樓

• Yanshui Stop -> Octagonal House (about 3 minutes walk, 200 meters)
• Octagonal House address: No. 1, Lane 4, Zhongshan Rd., Yanshui District

Drive

Exit at Xinying Interchange and head towards Yanshui, drive west along county highway No. 172 for approximately 2.6km.

• Octagonal House address: No. 1, Lane 4, Zhongshan Rd., Yanshui Dist. Tainan City
• Octagonal House Temple GPS:
• Lat. 23.319962 / Long. 120.267306
• Lat. 23°19'11.9"N / Long. 120°16'02.3"E

During Beehive Fireworks Festival, traffic control will be implemented in downtown Yanshui from 15:00. Private vehicles can only park/stop outside the downtown area.

Service info

During Beehive Fireworks Festival, a temporary service center will be set at the Yanshui police station to provide assistance.

• Yanshui police station address 鹽水派出所: No. 23, Wumiao Rd., Yanshui District
• Yanshui police station tel: 886-5-652-1032 (international number), 05-652-1032 (local number) 

Map

Map: No. 6 is Octagonal House
Add: No. 1, Lane 4, Zhongshan Rd., Yanshui Dist., Tainan City, Taiwan
GPS Coordinates:
Lat. 23.319962 / Long. 120.267306
Lat. 23°19'11.9"N / Long. 120°16'02.3"E