Lukang in better light
With warmer and brighter weather, I was optimistic that today will give me a better experience of Lukang.
I did a pass of the historic area in my full day here, starting towards the north through Lukang Old Street to Matsu Temple.
Text continues after this gallery.
-
- Junk shop near my accommodation.
-
- Religious paraphenalia shop on the main street.
-
- Chinese medicine shop on the main street.
-
- Lukang Old Street.
-
- Lukang Old Street.
-
- Lukang Old Street.
-
- Matsu Temple’s forecourt.
-
- Main courtyard of the Matsu Temple.
-
- Main courtyard of the Matsu Temple.
-
- Main courtyard of the Matsu Temple.
-
- Matsu Temple.
-
- Matsu Temple’s main altar.
-
- A side shrine in the Matsu Temple.
-
- I’m not sure what all these lamps are for in a side shrine of the Matsu Temple.
-
- I’m not sure what all these lamps are for in a side shrine of the Matsu Temple.
Late morning, I continued my exploration to the south to the Longshan Temple where I realised that I had missed two-thirds of it yesterday. Actually one-third was under restoration, so I had only missed a third.
Text continues after this gallery.
-
- Longshan Temple.
-
- At the Longshan Temple.
-
- At the Longshan Temple.
-
- At the Longshan Temple.
Next was the Alley of Nine Turns so that cold winds from Mongolia can be arrested somewhat. Nearby was the Ding Ancestral Home. I also did random walks to various places, repeating some sights in the process.
Text continues after this gallery.
-
- Bookshop in an old alley.
-
- Deities in storage at small temple.
-
- Handmade joss sticks drying in the sun.
-
- Ceremonial weapons at Xingan Temple.
-
- Xingan Temple.
-
- In the Alley of Nine Turns.
-
- In the Alley of Nine Turns.
-
- In the Alley of Nine Turns.
-
- A temple I cannot remember.
-
- Intricate roof of the Sanshan Guowang Temple.
-
- Not an ornate pizza oven. This is the incinerator at Sanshan Guowang Temple, for remitting funds to the afterlife.
-
- Door panel at Sanshan Guowang Temple.
-
- Gateway at Xinzu Temple.
-
- Xinzu Temple.
-
- Prayer session at Xinzu Temple.
For lunch, I took a rice noodle (thinner version compared to yesterday) in a thickened seafood and pork soup, with small squid and large pork balls. Again, it was delicious with chilli and vinegar.
For dessert, I walked across the road for some tofu jelly with shaved ice and light syrup, red beans, peanuts and assorted root vegetables. Very refreshing.
After lunch, I continued my walk to the north again, discovering little things that I had missed before.
Text continues after this gallery.
-
- City God Temple.
-
- Inside the City God Temple.
-
- Inside the City God Temple.
-
- City God Temple.
-
- Folk Arts Museum near my accommodation.
I finished the day at the Folks Art Museum. I’m not a museum person but it was nice enough. Unfortunately, upon returning to the hotel, the staff wanted to give me a card which entitled me to half-price entry to the museum. Blast!
Text continues after this gallery.
Conclusion about Lukang
As a concluding note, Lukang isn’t a polished well-restored tourist city. It’s a hodgepodge with various gems from a bygone era and stunning temples dotted here and there. It’s worthwhile as a visit. Be guided by sights that have been listed in whatever guide you use but it’s important to explore and find surprises that jump out at you.
Notes on eating
For dinner, I was tempted to repeat the squid and pork noodle soup at a different outlet. It seems to be a common item here. Perhaps it is a local specialty as I haven’t noticed it in other parts of the country.
But I was adamant on having something different. I settled on a beef noodle soup. While good, I kick myself for not repeating the squid and pork soup!
In terms of finding food, sometimes there’s not much around, with stalls chained up or with canvas thrown over. But this evening, being Friday, there appeared to be a good showing of hawkers.
In terms of non-hawker choices, there are some shops selling ready-cooked food waiting to be dished up and some rather quiet restaurants. I see some of these choices when I’m not looking and when I’m ready to eat they seem to be gone.