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Shuiqingyan Scenic Area (Linyuan Shuiching Temple)

2022-11-28
886-7-7995678
高雄市林園區清水岩路214號
Clearwater Cliff is located in Tantou Village, LinYuan District, Fengshan Hills. The entire area is filled with coral reef scenery made up of strange rock formations. Due to natural springs underground spilling out from the surface continuously, the area received its name "Clearwater." Since Japanese colonial times, this place has been designated as one of the Eight Views of Kaohsiung. Its most famous attractions are the Clearwater Temple and Longpan Cave, the original Japanese military war-readiness tunnels. At the back of the Clearwater Temple, there are many naturally formed caves and unique rocks. The water flowing out from the rocks was previously called the sacred spring pool. It is said to have been formed when Lin, a legendary figure from LinYuan, slashed the Clearwater Cliff with a sword to help local farmers with irrigation, but in reality, this is simply because Clearwater Cliff is composed of coral reef geology with many pores that easily retain water. Besides the landmark Clearwater Temple, this area features many naturally formed coral reef rock formations, such as Longpan Cave, Stone Boat, Stone Taiwan, Tao Yuan Cave, Longevity Guava Tree, and others. These landscapes are very unique, with explanation signboards for each special sight, including Frog Teasing Tiger, Zhuge Liang Fishing, and Three-footed Toad. The area is full of mythological legends and attracts many tourists who come to explore and uncover wonders. Climbing up to the Clearwater Cliff also allows visitors to enjoy panoramic distant views, particularly of the Pacific Ocean from above where Xiaoliuqiu Island can vaguely be seen. The scenery here is naturally beautiful. Following the county road from the Clearwater Temple leads into the Clearwater Cliff Egret Nature Reserve, where flocks of white egrets can be seen during the winter months. LinYuan Clearwater Temple is also known as LinYuan Clearwater Cliff Temple, or Briefly Clearwater Cliff, Clearwater Temple. It was established in the 5th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign (AD 1666), more than 300 years ago. Legend says that it originated when a farmer, returning home after a day’s work, suddenly saw several feet of light shining from beneath the cliff. Upon closer examination, he discovered a small red incense bag dangling from a tree on the rock wall, with the names of Sakyamuni Buddha and Guanyin Bodhisattva inscribed on both sides—the two great compassionate figures. From that time, a small shrine was built here to enshrine them. Later in the 14th year of Emperor Daoguang’s reign, local lay Buddhist practitioner Zhang Jianli renovated the original straw thatched shrine into a more substantial temple. Continuous renovations occurred in between periods until the 16th year of the Republic (1927), eventually culminating in a complete reconstruction in the 53rd year of the Republic (1964). Longpan Cave - LinYuan Clearwater Cliff Original Japanese Military War-readiness Tunnels. Within the Clearwater Cliff scenic area, "Longpan Cave" is relatively well-preserved. This tunnel was built during Japanese colonial times as part of a military defensive tunnel system and has a length of 6 kilometers. Dubbed the "Underground Great Wall," the construction took place during World War II as part of military preparations by Japanese forces to repel potential Allied landings. Local Taiwanese residents were conscripted to complete the excavation, and it represented one of the largest military construction projects in the region at the time. The tunnel stretches over areas covering Linuan District, Daliao District, Xiaogang District, starting from the southernmost point at Fengbi Tou Mountain beach, passing through Fenguanganjanshan, Clearwater Cliff, Fengshan Reservoir, and Dayingding in the north to the area near the Whampoa Military Academy in Daliao District. Due to its age and disrepair, parts of the tunnel have collapsed; the best-preserved section is currently around Longpan Cave. Given the complexity of the tunnel system, its side tunnels being interconnected like an underground maze, and the darkness within the tunnel being so complete that you can not even see your hand in front of your face, visitors are not advised to enter unaccompanied without the guidance of professionals.
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