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The local customs and practices of Da-Chia town

Everywhere in Da-Chia town had contained its cultural beauty. You can found it from its historical records, antique objects and legendary tales. About 3000 years ago, knives, arrow clusters, stone adzes were scattered on the top of the Tie-Zhan mountain in the prehistoric relics. It also unearthed many appliances and ancient tools around the Yam garden in the Zi-Zhu temple. It kept the Der-hwa temple from the general Zheng suffered the force attacked by the Ping-Pu tribe during the Ming Dynasty about 400 years ago. The Ping-Pu tribe then immigrated to Pu-Li and used its original tribe's name to be its land name. These historical marks were wrote in the historical record and also carved in stele.
Da-Chia town belonged to the central west coast of Taiwan. The climate is warm in North-western corner of Taichung county. The average temperature was 24 degrees Celsius and the rainfall was about 1000mm. The Da-Chia river and Da-En river were across through the Southern and the Northern parts of Da-Chia.
The water conservancy installation is faultless. Except for the Tie-Zhan mountain area mostly was hills, and the rest of the areas were flats and contained rich soils. It's the best environment for agricultural development and very suitable for cultivate taros. It had produced "Da- Chia taros" for many years. No matter it's the quality, flavor or the taste were fully excepted and praised by everybody.
On 1989, in the section of this area, is to carry out the use of the farm lands by using unified planning to proceed and organize group trainings. Assisting the farmers to be able to transfer their low labors to high economic crop-taros. Enable to accomplish the unified planning in the developing areas on their agricultural specialties. This area is using the none polluted water from the Da-En river for irrigation, plus the rich soils were the most suitable for growing taros. Therefore the taros here are delicious and praised by the markets and the processing industries. Its markets were all over Taiwan. Currently, it cultivated around 400 hectares and it's the No.1 taro farm in Taiwan.

[ The precious trees in Da-Chia town ]

There were 11 old trees on the four different places in Da- Chia town. Included four banyan trees in Zhen-Lan temple. Three banyan trees in Da- Chia sports park and other four banyan trees in Yi-Her Li. The most famous banyan trees are in Zhen-Lan temple, its age were over 200 years.

[ The old banyan trees in Zhen-Lan Temple of Da Chia Town ]

In Yuan Zhen years 10, a person from Mei-Zhou Island name Mr. Yong-hsin Lin. He brought the god statue of Ma-Zu sailed across the sea to Da-Chia town of Taiwan. The authorities discussed with Mr. Lin and he agreed to built a small shrine in the original place to enshrine and worship Ma-Zu in Yun-Zheng years 10. Until Qian-Long years 35 (1770) the temple had its reconstruction and changed its name to Tian-hou temple and then in Qian-Long year 52 the temple was rebuilt. The public procurator Jin-Ting Zong, official scholar Fong-hao Chen, local authority Kun-shan Lian, Hwa-lung Qiao were contributed a huge fund to expand the temple in the beginning of the Dao-Guan years and then changed the name to "Zhen Lan temple".
On 1934, the local authorities Yan-yi Wang and other believers take the initiative for remodeling the " Zhen-Lan temple", then a huge earthquake stroke on the April of 1935. The temple and the nearby towns, Chin-Sui town and Hou-Li hsien, had suffered from very serious damages. Only Da-Chia town were safe from the disaster. Due to the reason, the residents of the Da-Chia thought it was Ma-Zu who had blessed them to went through this disaster safely. They held a huge completion ceremony for the new temple and it's the first time to prayed for safety on Oct. 16, 1936.

[ The old banyan tree in the sports park of Da-Chia town ]

This old banyan tree was originally located near No.156, lane 568, section 1 zhong-shan road., yi-he Li, Da-Chia town. Due to this expansion work of the road in that time, and through the efforts by the town hall and the villagers. They finally moved and planted the old trees to the sports park and that let the old banyan tree had a good living space.

 

[ The old banyan tree of Yi-he Li in Da-Chia town ]

During the time, the villagers had planted lots of Cirsium surround the village and used it to be the fence for their safety. They planted the banyan trees on the entrance of the village and the end of the lane, to made it looked like the front and the back gate of the village. These tree bines of these two old banyan trees had became the shape of an arch. Through nearly 200 years, the Cirsium fences were cut down because the houses were built to be the water-farm. The remaining of these two banyan trees had became the natural memento of the development from the ancestors for this village.

[ The old banyan tree of the Sui-wei village on the Yi-he Li in Da-Chia town ]

The head of the banyan tree was across the both side of the road and formed a shape of an arch. It was very peculiar when the people and the cars were going through the arch. In the past, the villagers carried the poles or rode bikes through under the arch. The banyan trees became the symbol of entering the village.

　

 

[ Dong pottery products of Da-Chia town ]

Mr. Jin-Cheng Chen was born in Da-Dong village in Taichung County, where it's the most famous place of the pottery and kiln. He's playing with clays ever since he was a child. Most of his works expressed an emotion of the clay and love of the soil.
In 1992, he was attended the "The first term national Art Rewards" held by our association and received an award of a ceramics series by a piece of his works called " Tao-Ding". Its creative ideas on making ceramics showed his strive and achievement on the potteries. He had continuously absorbed the coloring skill of the Modern Ceramics' and made his creative field more widely to get external affirmation from the world. He has been invited to demonstrating to squeeze the earthen brick to be the shape of vat, urn, pottery jar.. and etc. It had a deeply meaning of the traditional skills in carry out and pass on to the next generation.

Tie-Zhan mountain scenery distinct

Tie-Zhan mountain was located in North eastern part of Da-Chia town. It was famous on its appearance which was looked like an anvil. The landform of the mountain was dangerous and was used as a military area. After the construction works, it became a major family sports recreation and tour spot in the central area.
In the landscape areas of the Tie-Zhan mountain had: are Jian-Jing antique objects, Guo-Xing temple. Military memorial park. Cheng-gong Zheng statue, Zhong-Zheng park, sculpture square had the famous sculpture works(the door of the sun), Yong-Zin park, and Kwan-yin big statue. Among them the Jian-Jing antique objects had the most legendary. People said, Cheng-gong Zheng used his sword to stuck into the ground and got a fresh spring. Latter on, from the Jian-Jing antique object going upward can reach Guo-Xing temple.
Standing on pine and cypress trees of the Guo-Xing temple. Can see as far as the Taichung harbor and Da-Chia town and the green farms of the re-planning areas. The scenery of the Da-En harbor looked like a beautiful painting.
There are many ornamental flowers and trees around the statue of Cheng-gong Zheng area. The scenery were quiet and beautiful, the other side of Yong-Xin park had children amusement park, barbecue area.and etc. It's a really terrific place for everybody to spend their time visiting there, and It's also an ideal sightseeing place for all families.

[ Admission ]

Only collect the cleaning and keeping expense for vehicles
Trucks: $150
Cars : $ 50
Motorcycles: $ 20

Traffic Instruction:

Toward South Direction
San-Yi intersection – Tai Line 13 highway – Da-Chi Westeast Road (Zhong-Miao Line 6 connect to Bei-Ti-Xi- Road) – Tai Line 1 highway (Jing-Kuo Road) – Da-Chia Town Zhong-Shan Road – see the direction sign turn left to the Tie-Zhen Mountain.

Toward North Direction
Wang-Tian intersection – Tai Line 1 highway (Da-Du – Sha-Lu – Qing-Shui) – Da-Chia, Jing-Kuo Road – right turn to Zhong-Shan Road and go straight – see the direction sign and turn right to the Tie-Zhen Mountain.

Zhong-Zheng Park

In the memory of Mr. Zhong-Zheng Jiang's great achievement, the Zhong-Zheng Park was built. Besides setting a stele, preparing an assembly, and chose an authority to establish a bronze statue, the committee is responsible for the whole matter. After applied to the Ministry of Interior on April 12, 1977, (National Civil Serial No. 726958), the proposal of building the Zhong-Zheng Park had passed. The Zhong-Zheng Park was built for people to remember Mr. Zhong-Zheng Jiang, a great historical hero, and to remind people to practice and execute the "Three People's Principles", recovering the territory in mainland China, and reviving the nation's culture and democracy.

According to Mr. Zhong-Zheng Jiang's heroic bearing statue of riding horse (casting from Bronze), established in the Zhong-Zheng Park on the Tie-Zhen Mountain, the status was established by Mei-Si Corporation in Da-Li County.
The statue is 1000kg in weight, 33 square meters in height (the base is 200 square meters) and the total height is 5.35 meters. The length of the square pillar is 2.90 meters, and the width is 1.40 meters. The square pillar was made of steel bar concrete with dark green's snake grain stone and marble. The ground was made of blue and white marble gravel, 12 square meters in area, which represents the flag of KMT, a political party, and was established by Mr. Tzong-Ming Chen of Zi-Teng-Hong-Jing Marble Engineering Company. This project of building the Zhong-Zheng Park took approximately one year to complete and the unveiling ceremony was held on October 30, 1977 at 10 a.m., hosted by commissioner Hwuang. There were many government officials of Taichung County attended to the ceremony; altogether around 500 guests were presented at the ceremony. Inside the park, there is a carved inscription, which was given by the Japanese in respect to Mr. Zhong-Zheng Jiang's great generosity during the Second World War and the celebration of joining the Tong-Jing Rotary Club of Japan and Da-Chia Rotary Club of Taiwan to sister association. The Japanese specifically chose saplings of plum blossoms and cherry blossoms to plant in the Zhong-Zheng Park, which symbolized the growing friendship of those two countries.

The Sculpture Square

Currently, there has 10 sets of sculptures in the park and was prepared to have additional 20 sets to be add on to the present 10 sets, which would make a total of 30 sets of sculptural works. 1/3 of the sculptures are planned to made by the domestic artists, 1/3 of foreign art works and the remaining 1/3 of art works are to be selected from the local artists thru contests. These sculptures should be updated periodically. The duration of each art works is limited from one to 10 years depending on the budget, the production, the sources, and the artists. The replaced art works will then be placed in other areas, such as the sculpture hall of the activity center, the art square, and in an art gallery of the beach area, which makes the entire scenic point of the Tie-Zhan Mountain an outdoor museum of sculptures.

The Current Photo Documentation of The Sculptures

	The Door of The Sun Author: Ging-Chi Kuo Creation Period: 1997 Specification: 1250x140x600cm Material: Stainless Steel, Granite Serial No.: 1/1 Completion Date: October 15, 1997
	Two Lovers Author: Ging-Chi Kuo Creation Period: 1997 Specification: 285x92x205cm Material: Marble Serial No.: 1/1 Completion Date: November 8, 1997
	The Up Stringed Moon Author: Ging-Chi Kuo Creation Period: 1982 Specification: 230x150x40cm Material: Bronze Serial No.: 1/1 Completion Date: August 8, 1998
	The Rising Sun Author: Wei-Zhong Xu Creation Period: 1997 Specification: 160x160x25cm Material: Copper Serial No.: 1/1 Completion Date: February 8, 1998
	The Home Author: Li-Xian Xu Creation Period: 1997 Specification: 200x60x40cm Material: Black Granite Serial No.: 1/1 Completion Date: January 9, 1998
	The People of The Earth Author: Wen-Hai Lin Creation Period: 1997 Specification: 375x195x120cm Material: Copper Serial No.: 1/3 Completion Date: November 22, 1998
	The Joy of Climbing Author: Xiu-Qi Wang Creation Period: 1997 Specification: 116x84x166cm Material: Bronze Serial No.: 1/3 Completion Date: November 16, 1998
	The Lullaby Author: Deng-Quan Yu Creation Period: 1993 Specification: 155x185x185cm Material: Copper Serial No.: 2/3 Completion Date: November 11, 1998

[ The Military Memorial Park ]

The Military Memorial Park was built for cherishing those brave martyrs of the war. The military cemeteries were built periodically in everywhere in Taiwan. The beginning stage of the construction was chosen to build in Tie-Zhan Mountain to advocate national spirit. The military cemetery was occupied around 6 acres of land and is located on the top of Tie-Zhan Mountain. The cemetery can be accessed by taking the Huan-Shan Highway and there are public parking available. On the right side of the entrance, there is Guan-Hai pavilion, which oversees the Straits of Taiwan. The majestic terrain of the military cemetery is the ideal place for the war heroes. The construction of the Military Memorial Park was divided into three stages. The first stage had begun on July of 1958. A monumental door and a memorial hall were completed at the time. The governor, Mr. Zhi-Rou Zhou had hosted the topping out ceremony. The second stage of the construction had completed the water and electricity plant, water pump facilities, and path of the cemetery. The final stage of the construction was to beautify the park. It was completed on April of 1960 and the litchi, peach, apricot trees, cherry blossoms, paulownia trees, peepul trees were planted in the park. The Da-Chia's town hall has sent people to clean the cemetery every year to maintain a clean and beautiful environment. The entire construction had cost millions of NT dollars. The higher executive Yuan had issued a long-term planning of military cemetery's construction. This special proposal was presented to the central government and the provincial government. They had agreed to re-build the three-leveled veterans of memorial hall and the surroundings of the cemetery, which has begun using on January of 1987. On January of 1996, the county officials of Taichung had decided to rename the cemetery from "Taichung Military Cemetery" to "Taichung Military Martyrs' Shrine".

[ The Statue of Cheng-Gong Zheng ]

In 1961, it is the 300th anniversary memorial day of Cheng-Gong Zheng's recovery of Taiwan. For cherishing this great man and for the troop of armored soldiers who emulated him, the government had discussed with other related departments to sculpt a statue of Cheng-Gong Zheng and had decided with the congress' approval that the Tie-Zhan Mountain was the best location to build it. Therefore, the former Taichung County's magistrate, Mr. Jin-Sheng Ho and former town master, Mr. Zi-Jian Huang had done their best to strive for. The final decision was made to build on the Tie-Zhan Mountain. On April 29, 1961, a ground-breaking ceremony was held and was taken charge by the commander of former armored army troops, Mr. Wei-Kuo Jiang. The construction was completed on the same date of the following year.

This statue is made of stainless steel and concrete, and was imitated from the statue of Cheng-Gong Zheng situated in front of the train station in Tainan. This magnified version of the statue is facing the mainland China, standing on the hall for the tourists to look at and to emulate his spirit of struggling for the recovery of Taiwan.

[ The Kuo Xing Temple ]

The Kuo Xing Temple is located on No. 305 Cheng-Gong Road, Ding-Dian Li of Da-Chia Town. This temple was established around 300 years ago, which was during the Yong-Zhen era of the Ching Dynasty. The statue of Cheng-Gong Zheng has installed inside the temple, and its memorial ceremonial day are on March 29 and September 3 that are the spring and autumn ceremonies. The Kuo Xing Temple was also called The Kai Tai Sheng Wang Temple that is for commemorating the national hero, Cheng-Gong Zheng for his great achievements. The funds for building this temple were raised by the officials and the civilians of Da-Chia Town during the Yong-Zhen era of the Ching Dynasty. However, the temple was collapsed due to the shortage of funds for repair and maintenance of the building. In the 11th year of the Guang Xu ere, the local officials had felt that a holy trace was destroyed; therefore, these local officials, Chong Yu, Guang Lin, Peng-Chen Cheng, Jing-Ching Kuo, Jing-Yuan Xie, and Cheng-Cai Zhang, had raised funds to re-build the temple and also carved a stele. In the 25th year of Guang-Xu era and 1923, the Kuo Xing Temple was being repaired again due to deterioration of bad weather. Presently, only the "Kai-Tai Zehng Kuo Xing", a stele carved on the sword well, has remained.

In 1947, after the recovery of Taiwan, a local authority was thankful to the prosperous of the nation. Therefore he suggested to rebuild Kuo-Xin Temple. Cai-Fu Chen was every enthusiastic in publicizing to rebuild the temple. Due to the reason, Tain-Lai Ke generously contributed his land, which is the present temple. On the both side of the temple had also built two flat houses.

On February, 1953, for cherish the great accomplishment of Cheng-Kong Zheng. Taichung county officials had merged the Kuo Xing Temple with the veteran's memorial shrine of Taichung county and other soldiers who perish in a battle were also shrine in there. Latter on, the soldiers who died on the battle during the 823 attacking from the mainland were also shrine in there. The county government gave out a special fund to repaired the road in front of the temple to beautify the environment. Local authorities even built two flat houses on the both side of the shrine, used as the rest areas for the tourists. From the sight, had a very beautiful views of the trees, and winds blow gently. In front of the shrine, you can see white waves pushing each other to the shore. There were also two ancient cannon setting on the both side of the shrine, that made the tourists to wondering about the past.

On the back of the shrine had a mysterious ancestral tombstone, which is also to talk about. In 1947, during the time on rebuild the Kuo-Xin Temple, suddenly a worker was killed by a falling rock and injured another worker. Then discovered a mysterious ancient grave. There was a mysterious stele and tow overlapping of golden Chinese pecks in the grave, but there has not skeleton in it. Inside the Gold Chinese pecks had 32 copper coins and four other copper coins stuck on the outside of the grave. On the lower part of the Chinese peck had put 72 long charcoals inside. They alleged its not a real tombstone as it seems like, and its from the past people to make sure this fortunate land is being reserved. When the time is right, the instructions will come out to tell the future of hundred years latten. There were pictures of the copper coins and stele for the tourist to look at in the shrine.

[ Sword Well (Jian-Jin), The Antique Object ]

Sword well, also known as Kuo-Xin well. From the legendary tale, it was because of the General Cheng-gong Zheng's troops were besieged and needs for water. Then General Cheng-gong Zheng stuck his sword to the ground and spring water came out of the ground. The historical record had recorded "On Tie-Zhen mountain had spiritual temple and the bottom of the mountain had spiritual springs." It's the most legendary and famous antique object along the coast. Many tourists came here on the Dragon Boat Festival every year, hopping to drink the water from the sword well to cure their sickness and for long life. According to the legendary tale, the spring water from the sword well can cure every sickness, at least the water is none pollution. On the Dragon Boat festival day, the water had the most powerful cure. The location of the sword well is on the Nan Yang hill side of the Tie-Zhen mountain. The diameter was about 2 meters and the depth was about half meter. The water is clear as a mirror and the water had a sweet taste in it. The local people want to cherish this magical object. In Guan Xu years 18, they carved Kuo-Xin Well on it. In 1953, they repaired the well and built a brick wall around the well. The former government official You-ren Yu wrote sword well on the standing stone personally. Latter on another government official Jing–dei Mai changed it to Tie-Zhen mountain Sword Well.

There was another legendary tale, when its Dragon Boat Festival day. General Zheng's sword will float on the spring water and many people will try to hook up the sword by using the rope made from the malt. Who ever can hook up the sword will have a long live life. Latter on, there was a kid urinated on the well and sword was never appear ever since.

In the book of Jiang Kuo Xin Jing had mentioned, ( In the eve of Chin Ming day every year, there were a group of eagles flew here from the Bai Feng mountain and kept crying until it had no more energy to cry. Some people said it's because of the souls of the dead soldier still gather around here and won't live, and touched the eagles to flew here to worshiped them.) In the water farm of the lower mountain side, had once discovered a kind of farm snail with a cut off tail, which was never seen in any other places before. Accordingly, (When General Zhang was besieged on the Tei- Zhan mountain, They had shortage on the food supply. Therefore, they picked the farm snail from the farm to eat and threw back the remaining part of the snail back to the farm. Because of the land was blessed, the no tail farm snail was back in live again.) Due to the reason of in the recent years, huge amount of insecticide were used on the farm. These no tail farm snails were poisoned to death.

[ Big Statue of Guan-Yin ]

This White Guan-Yin statue symbolized kindness and peace, which is the tallest bronze Guan-Yin statue in the far-east region. The statue is facing the Straits of Taiwan blessing for world peace. It is also the spiritual symbol of Yuan-Xin Medical Company.

[ The Miao-Fa Shrine ]

The Miao-Fa Shrine is located on No. 7, Lane 63 Cheng-Gong Road, Ding-Dian Li Da-Chia Town and was built on December 5, 1972. Classification of religion: Buddhism, Sa-Men-Shi-Jia. Measurement of the area: 0.5800 hectares. Since Tie-Zhan Mountain has been developed to a scenic area, various kinds of construction projects had begun, such as the Huan-Shan Highway, the Military Cemetery, the huge statue of Cheng-Gong Zheng and etc. The bright beautiful future of Tie-Zhan Mountain is soon to be appeared before everyone. The local authorities like Mr. Cai-Fu Chen and Mr. Jin-Kun Kuo had thought the beautiful scenery and the serene environment of Tie-Zhan Mountain should have a quiet cloister. Therefore, the plan to build the Miao-Fa Shrine had begun and so has the fun raising activity. On December 5, 1972, the Buddha statue was installed which is located at the western side of Tie-Zhan Mountain facing the Da-En Harbor and watching the waves dance lightly in the Straits of Taiwan. Ossuary and rostrum are being built outside of the shrine and has become one of the major tourist attractions of Da-Chia Town.