Tainan Grand Martial Temple
About
The Tainan Grand Martial Temple (Sidian Wu Temple) is the only temple to Guan Yu in Taiwan entered into the official state rites. It stands in Tainan's West Central District, right beside the Grand Mazu Temple, and its standing is lofty. What no one forgets after a single glance is its rolling red gable wall, a full 66 meters long — a commanding sight and a must-shoot for photographers visiting Tainan. Inside, three halls follow one another in a strict, orderly plan. The main deity is the formidable Guan Sheng Dijun (Guan Gong), his eyes blazing with the bearing of the Martial Saint. Guanyin and Yue Lao are enshrined here as well — and this Yue Lao is known for severing bad romances, so people come to ask him to cut ill-fated ties clean through.
History
In 1665, the nineteenth year of the Ming Yongli reign, Koxinga's son Zheng Jing built this temple, first known as the 'Great Guandi Temple.' It held a place in the state sacrificial rites, and together with the Tainan Confucius Temple it formed a pair: the civil temple and the martial temple. Through repeated renovations and expansions in the Qing dynasty, it took on the three-hall layout seen today, with a mighty, solemn Guan Yu in the main hall. Its most famous treasure is the 'Da Zhang Fu' (A True Man) plaque, presented in 1794 by Yang Tingli, the Taiwan military intendant; among the imperial plaques is 'Wan Shi Ren Ji' (The Pinnacle of Humanity for All Ages) from the Xianfeng era. Together with the far-reaching fame of its Yue Lao, this keeps the incense burning to this day. It is now listed as a National Monument.
Tainan Grand Martial Temple
West Central District, Tainan City
Visitor Info
Address
No. 229, Sec. 2, Yongfu Rd, West Central District, Tainan City
Region
West Central District, Tainan City
Plan Your Visit
- Hours
- Daily 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- When to Go
- Guan Gong's birthday on lunar 6/24 is the most important festival of the year; those praying to Yue Lao mostly visit around Qixi and Valentine's Day on February 14.
Checked on 2026-10-13 · Sources: Google Maps