Introduction
Wufei Temple, also known as the Temple of the Five Concubines, is a small yet elegant shrine located in the West Central District of Tainan City. The temple was reconstructed in 1977 and enshrines statues of the five concubines who chose to end their lives following the death of Prince Zhu Shugui of Ningjing. Behind the statues, a stele titled "Tomb of Prince Zhu's Five Concubines" commemorates their sacrifice.
In 1683, as Qing forces led by Shi Lang attacked Taiwan, Prince Zhu Shugui resolved to die for his country. His five concubines—Lady Yuan, Lady Wang, Xiugu, Sister Mei, and Sister He—chose to follow him in death, hanging themselves in the palace. To honor their loyalty and devotion, the temple was established as a place of worship and remembrance.
The temple features a worship pavilion with a saddle-shaped roof at the front, adorned with painted door gods on its four doors, serving as the main entrance. Flanking the temple, red walls connect to the gable ends of the side wings, creating a distinctive architectural profile. At the rear, the raised burial mound and surrounding ancient trees add to the solemn atmosphere, exemplifying a traditional tomb-temple combination.
Though modest in scale, Wufei Temple's simple yet dignified design, complemented by towering old trees, evokes a sense of historical reverence, inviting visitors to reflect on the past. The noble sacrifice of the five concubines is deeply moving, making this historically significant site well worth exploring.
