Scenic View of Yanshui

Scenic View of Yanshui

Once known as "Yuejin," Yanshui earned its name from being surrounded by rivers on three sides, with its terrain resembling a crescent moon. Few people know that over 100 years ago, Yanshui was once the fourth most prosperous town in Taiwan. An old Qing dynasty saying goes: “First Tainan, second Lukang, third Monga,” with Yuejin coming right after.

The now tranquil town of Yanshui, with a population of fewer than 30,000, was once a place of great renown. Its past glory can only be glimpsed through remnants such as old city walls, traditional houses, and historic streets, where echoes of its former vibrancy remain.

In its heyday, Yanshui was a thriving river port. To the north was the mouth of the Bazhang River, and to the south the tributary mouth of the Jishui River. Seawater flowed in, forming a natural inland harbor. Because the water was salty, it came to be called Yanshui, meaning “Salt Water.”

On Yanshui’s main streets—Zhongzheng Road and Zhongshan Road—traditional Taiwanese houses from the early days can still be found, especially around the third alley on Zhongshan Road, which retains the most old-world charm. The roof ridges here often feature scissors-shaped or S-shaped ironwork, locally known as “iron scissors,” said to have been introduced by the Dutch to reinforce beam structures. The Octagonal Tower in the town center is also a symbol of Yanshui’s vibrant past. Built in the 27th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1847) by the Ye family, sugar merchants from Quanzhou, its primary materials—premium Fujian fir and stone bricks—were all imported from mainland China. The front of the building features exquisite wooden carvings, while the northern side is constructed with red bricks, showcasing another facet of architectural beauty.

Once hailed as the “Number One Street of Yanshui,” Qiaonan Street was a bustling commercial hub in earlier times. After the town's decline, the once thriving first street became known as Qiaonan Old Street. A few old buildings still line the street, and hidden in its lanes are fading traditional trades. Among them is the century-old Quanli Blacksmith Shop at the street entrance, which has witnessed Yanshui’s rise and fall over the past hundred years.

Wu Temple

Established during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, Wu Temple is dedicated to Guan Yu, the God of War. The main hall houses ancient artifacts including an old incense burner, a plaque inscribed with an imperial edict, and a stele commemorating the temple’s renovation. The temple is an important spiritual center for the residents of Yanshui. The internationally renowned Yanshui Beehive Rockets Festival is also held here. Next to the temple, a cultural museum is under preparation, and it will showcase exhibitions featuring old photos of Yanshui, historical relics, the process and imagery of beehive rocket making.

Address: No. 87, Wumiao Road

Phone: (06) 652-1264

Octagonal Tower

Named for the slightly upturned octagonal shape of its roof, the building was originally a grand three-section compound, magnificent in form. Today, only about one-third of its original size remains. The main structure is supported by 12 large Fujian fir pillars that run through both the first and second floors. The beams and columns are entirely constructed using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, without any iron nails, and are praised as an ingenious architectural rarity in Taiwan. The details—such as corridors, window lattices, and carved openwork patterns—are also exquisitely crafted.

Zhongzheng Road Historic Western-Style Building

Adjacent to the Qielan Temple, Zhongzheng Road was once the busiest commercial district in Yanshui. Even today, two-story Western-style houses built during the Japanese colonial period can still be seen along the street. Influenced by the Art Deco style, the facades of these buildings feature patterns and designs, simple or elaborate, rich in ornamental detail—clear evidence of the town’s former prosperity.

Quanli Blacksmith Shop

Quanli Blacksmith Shop is the oldest surviving shop in town. Housed in a century-old wooden building marked by the passage of time, it continues traditional blacksmithing techniques and still preserves antique hand-cranked fans.

Address: No. 8, Qiaonan Street

Phone: 0800-2100