Lukang Wenwu Temple

Lukang Wenwu Temple consists of three separate halls: Wenkai Academy on the left, Shrine of Literature in the middle, and Martial Temple on the right, where the God of Literature and the God of War are both venerated in the same temple complex. Together with Longshan Temple and Mazu Temple, the traditional Wenkai Academy here is named one of the three major historic sites in Lukang. This is a temple with great aesthetic values, sheer elegance and visual appeal — a not-to-be-missed spot for cultural and historical buffs out there.

The Shrine of Literature and the Martial Temple both have two halls with an enclosed courtyard. It is fronted by a half-moon-shaped pond. Before taking the civil service examination, every candidate followed the ancient rites and picked a parsley leaf from the pond to put it on his hat. If he ever passed the examination, he must return to the Shrine of Literature and visit the pond to express his gratitude. An ancient well sits between the Shrine of Literature and the Martial Temple, where the best water is believed to be bubbling out of the ground and makes the best tea ever. The academy was a cradle of culture in Lukang, and its sizeable architecture allows you to have a glimpse into the thriving past when literary community was at its height.