Babao Canal Green Corridor Introduction
The Babao Canal is one of Taiwan's early major water conservancy projects, irrigating the Changhua Plain through the Zhuok Shui River, and is also known as the Zhuok Shui Canal. The "Babao Canal Green Corridor" is nestled in this tranquil landscape surrounded by fields and the canal. It has long been a private spot for locals to ride bicycles and take walks. Alongside the Babao Canal, the small leaf ipomoea trees on both sides create a dense shaded area, and during the harvest season, one can gaze at the golden rice waves swaying in the wind, embodying the classic rural charm of Taiwan. This path was once part of the Tianzhong Marathon route, making it easy to imagine the comfort and ease of runners racing alongside the winding canal. A notable site along the way is the "Shifang Temple," located at the junction of the Babao Canal's first and second sections, where the main deity, Lin Mama, is regarded as the guardian of water conservancy. Interestingly, the temple's devotees often offer guavas as offerings, a fruit once considered taboo for worship but has evolved into a unique characteristic of Shifang Temple over time. Similarly, the "Mr. Lin Temple" in the Babao Canal No. 2 area is dedicated to a figure named Lin, who assisted in the construction of the Babao Canal. Legend has it that he disappeared shortly after teaching the water diversion methods, leading later generations to build a temple in his honor. Another belief holds that Mr. Lin is an incarnation of Lin Mama, reflecting the bond between local development and common society, resulting in a strong force of faith. After visiting the temples, one should not miss the ancient house tour; the "Tianzhong Hsiao Yun-chang Residence" near the Babao Canal No. 2 and Dasha Road was built during the Japanese occupation. Mr. Hsiao Yun-chang served as a baozheng and the secretary of the Tianzhong Township Office, making him a significant leader in the Tianzhong area. This residence features a blend of Japanese official residence style and Minitory architecture, supplemented by elements of Western classical symmetry and geometry in its facade, making it unique and rare.
