Wenwu Temple at Sun Moon Lake

The Main Reading Text

Wenwu Temple stands proudly on the shore of Sun Moon Lake. Although it looks grand and old, the temple is not ancient. The first, smaller temple was built here in 1938. Later, in 1969, it was rebuilt to become the larger and more impressive temple we see today.

The temple was built to honor several important figures. One is Confucius (孔子), who was a very famous teacher and thinker in Chinese history. The other two are important gods often seen as protectors or symbols of loyalty and justice: Guan Gong (關公) and Yue Fei (岳飛). They are sometimes called gods of war, but also represent courage.

Wenwu Temple is quite large and built on a hillside, going upwards from the road. It has three main halls, one behind the other, climbing up the hill. The first hall, near the entrance, is mainly for visitors and initial prayers. The middle hall is dedicated to Guan Gong and Yue Fei. You can see impressive statues of them here. The highest hall at the back is for Confucius.

The temple buildings show beautiful, traditional Chinese design, often called Chinese architecture. You will notice golden roofs, bright red pillars, and many colorful drawings and carvings, which are decorations. There are many steps to climb to reach the different halls. From the top levels of the temple, especially the back hall's viewing area, you get a wonderful, wide view over the blue water of Sun Moon Lake and the green mountains around it. It's a great place for photos!

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Key Learning Points

點擊下方的頁籤，切換不同的學習重點。

grand

a.

[grænd] — 宏偉的；壯麗的

Impressive and large or important.

• Although it looks grand and old, the temple is not ancient.
  雖然它看起來宏偉又古老，但這座廟宇並非古蹟。
• The hotel has a grand staircase.
  這家飯店有一個宏偉的樓梯。

impressive

a.

[ɪmˋprɛsɪv] — 令人印象深刻的

Causing feelings of admiration or respect because of size, quality, or skill.

• It was rebuilt to become the more impressive temple we see today.
  它被重建成為我們今日所見更令人印象深刻的廟宇。
• Her performance was very impressive.
  她的表演非常令人印象深刻。

honor

v.

[ˋɑnɚ] — 尊敬；紀念

To show great respect for someone or something.

• The temple was built to honor several important figures.
  這座寺廟是為了紀念幾位重要人物而建的。
• We honor the soldiers who fought for our country.
  我們向為國家奮戰的士兵致敬。

figure

n.

[ˋfɪgjɚ] — 人物；數字；身形

The shape of the human body, or a person of a particular type.

• The temple honors several important historical figures.
  這座廟宇紀念數個重要的歷史人物。
• She has a slender figure.
  她有著纖細的身形。

loyalty

n.

[ˋlɔɪəltɪ] — 忠誠；忠心

The quality of being loyal (firm and not changing in your friendship with or support for a person or an organization).

• Guan Gong is a symbol of loyalty and justice.
  關公是忠誠與正義的象徵。
• Dogs are known for their loyalty to their owners.
  狗以對主人的忠誠而聞名。

courage

n.

[ˋkɝɪdʒ] — 勇氣

The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery.

• They also represent courage.
  祂們也代表勇氣。
• It takes courage to admit your mistakes.
  承認錯誤需要勇氣。

architecture

n.

[ˋɑrkə͵tɛktʃɚ] — 建築學；建築風格

The art and study of designing buildings.

• The temple shows beautiful Chinese architecture.
  這座廟宇展現了優美的中國建築風格。
• He is studying architecture at university.
  他在大學裡主修建築學。