I rode my bike to the school where 4 of us met to bike around the pond (sometimes called lake) and explore the temples and area. It's located in the Zuoying District of Kaohsiung, which is a very historic area of the city. You can pretty much bike around the entire pond and this is where we entered.
Everything is so green and lush, almost primordial.
These ancient stone walls are all around this area of Kaohsiung because it was a military district in the mid-seventeenth century.
There's the lake with Turtle Mountain in the background.
As we were walking toward the first pagodas (those above) I snapped a picture of one of the temples overlooking the lake. The Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are considered extensions of Ciji Temple (the one shown below). It is the largest Confucius Temple in Taiwan.
It's pretty impressive!
This is the Tiger Pagoda...
with the Dragon Pagoda behind it. You have to enter the Dragon and Exit the Tiger. It's auspicious to do it that way and brings you good luck.
Just outside the pagoda entrance, and surrounding the entire lake, are little trucks or stalls selling every kind of food you can imagine. In case you can't tell from the sausages hanging from the top, this man was selling sausages.
A view across the lake from the Dragon Pagoda entrance.
These lotus flowers are everywhere and are supposed to be beautiful when they blossom. The lotus blossom signifies fortune in buddhism - they grow in muddy water and the fragrant flower rises above the mud to bloom. Nice thought isn't it.
A closer look at the temple.
Entering the path to the pagodas you meet these creatures! I believe they are called fu dogs and they guard temples. Usually there is a pair - one male and one female.
The bridge over to the pagodas is intricately carved and beautiful. Each panel depicts a different story.
The bridge zigzags over to the pagodas. Apparently evil spirits can't turn corners so it keeps the evil spirits out.
There was some type of ceremony going on for a group of men exiting the Tiger.
Entering the Dragon's mouth there are paintings that depict China's 24 most obedient sons and then further in you see scenes of heaven and hell that are supposed to inspire people to do good deeds during their lifetime. Basically the painting promise retribution for wrongdoing.
At the center of each pagoda is a spiral staircase with 100 stairs leading up to the top.
Every surface is hand-painted and so colorful!
These are views through the openings as I climb up the stairs.
A view of the lake from the top.
More dragons! I've been fascinated by dragons since I was a kid and living in southeast Asia is like a dream.
A view of the path from halfway up.
Turtle Mountain and other pagodas across the lake.
The path zigzags up and then splits apart to go into each of the mouths of the dragon and tiger. There's the temple in the background.
Exiting the Tiger
We got back on our bikes and went further down the pond to the next pagoda which was a giant dragon!
This was a path to another site, Wuli Pavilion, that was blocked off because it's being repaired.
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The beautiful area along the lake.
Look at this thing! That's the Goddess of Mercy riding the dragon's back.
This is what you first see when you enter...
this is what you see when you look out from the dragon's mouth.
What is the meaning of this creature nibbling on the man's ear?!
It is so saturated in color and I loved every step of my walk through the belly of a dragon.
The artwork is remarkable! I want to learn more about the stories being told. From what I understand, these pagodas and temples are Taoist temples and you can smell "ghost money" being burned in the air as an offering to ancestral spirits.
I wonder if my landlord would let me paint something like this in my apartment?
Seeing some of these painting, it makes me want to do good deeds! You?
The dragon from the outside. I believe he's getting a new coat of paint so has bamboo scaffolding around it.
Here is a better image of Guan Yin - Goddess of Compassion and Mercy, as she rides on the back of the dragon. Why can't I ride on the back of a dragon huh?
Another temple across the street; this one is called the Temple of Enlightenment.
This runs along the sidewalk surrounding one part of the lake.
You can see some of the houses right next to the lake and next to the temple. Incredible!
Turtles everywhere....here is a little resting place for the many turtles in this part of the pond.
It's hard to see but there are many turtles on this rock structure.
Little walkways and bridges from the street lead to some of the pagodas and temples.
This 24 meter statue is of the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven and is the guardian of the north. His name is Xuantian Shang-di. It's stunning!
There are these carved painting at the entrance to the statue.
Gateway to the Emperor's statue.
The entrance is being guarded/protected by these guys.
I love this one! Maybe they aren't guarding but greeting! He's the only happy one I saw.
The bridge over is intricate and decorated with statues and carvings.
This one has a beak...what's up with that?
Hey there big boy! I guess he is one of the higher-ranking Taoist deities so I need to be more respectful.
Just outside the entrance is a machine that for about $1.60 you can have a chicken lay a golden egg that comes down the wooden ramp. We got some coins and this little paper ornament that you hang on a little tree outside. We didn't know how to make the whole thing happen (couldn't really decipher the price and direction) and several people, who didn't speak one word of English, all jumped in to help us. There is a whole ritual that goes with buying that golden egg. Thank goodness they helped us because we had no clue! It was adorable.
The paintings on the ceilings and walls are so saturated with color and so rich in detail, I was spellbound. I want clothing in each of these colors.
Look at these colors and details! Wow!
There was an area where you could pray or meditate. This one women was tossing these wooden pieces which is part of fortune telling. You toss these fortune sticks in front of an altar and seek an answer from a sacred oracle. From what I understand, you pretty much keep tossing until you get the answer you want. I like that kind of fortune telling!
It doesn't look real does it? It's like an illustration from a book.
The artwork is unreal! This waterfall looks 3D in person.
We completed our journey around the lake, ate lunch at a little place on the far side of the pond and made our way home. I've been meaning to go to this area of Kaohsiung for weeks and I'm so glad I did. I'm sure I'll be going around this pond on a regular basis. Next time, I want to see it at night. Here is an image I found on-line.
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