◎THSR standard car reserved seat round ticket ◎Transportation fare + tour guide Available from Jan. 1, 2012 to J un. 30, 2012 NT$3,830/per person THSR Zuoying Station→guided tour of municipal works and landmarks along the way→National Stadium→Old City of Zuoying→Lotus Pond (Spring & Autumn Pagodas, Dragon Tiger Tower, Confucius Temple)→taste specialty delicacies in Zuoying (own expense)→Foguanshan(Buddha Memorial Hall)→THSR Zuoying Station Gather and depart from THSR Zuoying Station and head towards Cijin on the chartered bus. Old City of Zuoying: after the Zhu Yi-gui turmoil in 1721, the Qing Government began constructing earth or bamboo walls. In 1826, after the Xinglongzhuang County Town was completed, civil and military officials moved in. In 1853, the county town fell into enemy hands during the riot of Lingong and became dilapidated; at the time, the Xinglongzhuang County Town became an old town. On August 19, 1985, the MOI declared the Old Town of Zuoying, including the east, south and north gates, town wall and moat, as well as the Zhenfushe and Gongchen Well, as a first class historic monument. Furthermore, the four gates of the old town were restored in March 1991. After Zuoying, take the chartered bus to Lotus Pond, which features magnificent landscapes, vast waters and is one of the most prominent scenic areas in Kaohsiung City. The pond was built by the magistrate Song Yong-qing in 1705; it is located on the east side of Kaohsiung City’s Zuoying District and has a length of 1.4km. The west side of the pond is crowded with temples, totaling more than 20. The “Fragrance of Lotus on the Pond”, one of the Eight Wonders of Fongshan during the Qing Dynasty, portrays this venue. Confucius Temple: This is located in the Zuoying District of Kaohsiung City, at the north bank of the Lotus Pond outside the north gate of the Zuoying Old Town. This Confucius Temple is the largest in Taiwan, and features solemn and majestic architecture. The temple was built in 1684 during the Qing Dynasty by the magistrate Yang Fang-sheng. Later, due to damage caused by wind and rain, restorations were performed during the Qianlong and Guangxu Periods, and the complete form of the temple was finally established. The Dacheng Palace is in the center, while the east and west small rooms are located on the left and right; the front gate is the Dacheng Gate, while the Chongsheng Shrine is at the rear. Foguanshan is a Mecca for Buddhism culture, education, preaching, charity, pilgrimage and sightseeing. The starting point of the architecture demonstrates the founder’s philosophy and spirit of creating a Paradise on Earth. Go Back