This would be our fifth day in Taiwan.
Firstly,we visited the Longshan temple(龍山寺) located in Lugang.It is also the most well-preserved Fujianese style building of the Qing Dynasty in Taiwan.
One of the most amazing structure is Bagua caisson ceiling (八卦藻井) above outdoor stage.It was produced to have better sound traveling and the caisson ceiling has a function to suppress evils and bring peace to the town. Pillars, gates, and walls made by stone are elaborate, especially dragon pillars in the front hall.It featured a dragon heading up and another going down,there were also a pair of two guardian lion statues near the entrance,one resting its paws on a ball,a male,another,on a cub,a female.
The temple had statues of the bodhisattvas at the back.The monastery actually had shifted from its original position as a result of the earthquake and had to be shifted back.
Then we went to the old market street,where we actually saw some of the old architectures being preserved.They used to cover the ceiling,and the residents cannot see the sky so they say 看不見天,and because the road was bricked,不見泥土.We were also educated a lot about the culture and history.We also saw the folk arts museum.
We learnt to appreciate the culture of Chinese,and explore the different folk takes.We also understood more as to why Lukang decline after the nineteenth century when it was one of the most important commercial centre.
Next,we visited the 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan,which is dedicated to the 7.3 Earthquake that struck Taiwan in September 21 1999.This earthquake was one of the worst natural disaster in the century to have happened to Taiwan.
It is locate at the site of the former Guangfu Junior High School.There was a gallery which shows photos the destruction sites,the damage was high and devastating.There was also a part where it featured the soil mid-sectioned,where the tour guide explains to us the different parts of the soil.There were also booths set up that were interesting and includes diagrams and models to help us better understand the earthquake.
We also went past the destroyed classrooms and collapsed school building.We were also showed how Taiwan has taken measures to tackle against such issues in the future and to strengthened Taiwan's security.We also went to the room where we experienced a 5.0 virtual earthquake.One side of the room had safely measures and the other did not have any.We saw that the part with safety measures had all of the items still intact while the part with no safety measures had its items scattered.Before the 40 second there was a video showing the earthquake procedure and the aftermath.
Overall,we learnt from this trip that we should always be vigilant and prepared and ready in case this kind of disaster occurs.We also learnt from this that other countries had helped Taiwan when it was in need and that a country needed to have relations to depend on when things like this happens.We have learnt to be appreciative and grateful Singapore does not experience such earthquakes.
Then,we went to the Sun Yat Sen Memorial hall which was located at Taipei.There is a huge statue at the main entrance to the hall showcasing Sun Yat Sen.There is also a guard changing ceremony that is a popular tourist attraction.The memorial hall displays Sun Yat Sen's life and has a multi purpose centre for the public as well.
We learnt of how great he was and his family background.Sun's legacy also resides in his developing of the political philosophy known as the Three Principles of the People: nationalism, democracy, and the people's livelihood,where scholars study and teach his material.
There is a painting of him in the museum,where it was said that his eyes would follow you wherever you walk,according to the museum guide.Interestingly enough,his portrait was on the Taiwan note.
We have learnt not to take Singapore's independence for granted and how Sun Yat Sen was a great and to a point,legendary figure in helping China's revolution and helping Taiwan with its reforms.
Lastly,we went to Shilin market.It was a crowded night market selling a variety of items.It is one of the largest and most famous night market in Taipei,which consisted of a goods section and a food section.
We got to see many of Taiwan's famous food and it was a delightful place full of atmosphere.The night ended mostly on a happy note.We had a rather fruitful day,and afterwards,we headed back to the hotel for one last briefing.
By Lee Yue Tong
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