What to know
The place
Guantian Township is in the center of Tainan County east of the Zengwun District, bordering Lioujia Township at north, Shanhua/Danei Townships at the south, and Siaying Township at the west. Divided by Zengwun Creek, Guantian leans against the central mountain ridge at its east, which brings plenty of rainwater to the Jianan Plain in winter. Because of the winter rains, farmers here are worry free for sources of irrigation in winter is plentiful. Guantian and neighboring townships have water storages of the highest density in Taiwan. In addition to ponds of various sizes, large reservoirs like the Wushantou Reservoir, Tongling Reservoir, and Fanzitian Reservoir are all in the municipality of Tainan County. 

The history
Guantian Township is part of the five townships of the Zengwun District. In the central part of the Jiianan Plain by the shores of Guantian Creek, Guantian is a land sloping from east to west; inside of the township, thirteen villages are characterized with many ponds and plain lands in various sizes. The north-south highway and railway cut across this township.
In Qing Dynasty, this township had a rich landlord who was conferred an imperial title; the lands of his became the lands of an official – that was how this place got its name. In the Japanese Colonial Period, this place is called Guantian Jhuang – the village of official lands, and in the republic era this place was renamed as the Guantian Township. In 1953, the township administration office was relocated from Guantian Village to the current site in Longtian Village. Guantian Township is unique for its plentiful prehistoric cultures. This is a place where human activities were found as early as three thousand years ago, yet only for one hundred years, an officially zoned municipality has been established here. Although the official Guantian Township is still young, the history of the people and the land can be traced to the ancient world. 

National Taiwan University of Arts:
National Taiwan University of Arts was founded in 1996. The campus was planned and designed by its first President, Master Architect Han Bao-De. Integrated with technologies of modern sciences and elements of traditional crafts, inside of this campus, you will see structures in a new Southern Min style. The dormitory area for staffs is laid out with green architecture that composes the picture of the Southern-Yanzi style. This is a place where talents of arts are developed as well as a beautiful site for a day of romantic nostalgia. For more information, please visit the website of National Taiwan University of Arts - http://www.tnnua.edu.tw/main.htm

Longtian Distillery:
The site of the current Longtian Distillery was once a chemical plant built by the Japanese. Postwar, the Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco set up a plant producing alcohol yeasts for Gaoliang. In 1968, the yeast manufacture plant was relocated back to Chia-I, and in 1970, this plant began to produce medical alcohol. On the 14th of August 1982, the Gaoliang distillery in Longtian began operation and merged the old medical alcohol plant into the current Longtian Distillery. Right now, the Distillery produces a wide range of products including Ginseng Pilose Antler Wine, Pilose Antler Wine, Dragon-Phoenix Wine, Gaoliang, Erguotou, and more.
Longtian Distillery is located right by the side of No. 1 Provincial Expressway. It is easily accessible as well as neighboring all major tourist sites like the Wushantou Reservoir, National Taiwan University of Arts, golf country club, black-pottery remains, and home of President Chen Shui-Bian. As an integrated part on the route of Tainan County’s tourism, Longtian Distillery is now open for public visits.
The distillery offers tours of wine-making; the fresh taste of Gaoliang series will leave you with a fragrant taste of lingering aroma. Longtian Distillery is one of the Gaoliang plants of the Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco. It is located right at the entrance of Guantian Industrial Park. Currently, the distillery has a series of products and byproducts including Ginseng Pilose Antler Wine, Dragon-Phoenix Wine, the newly launched Yushan Gaoliang, Yushan Vintage Gaoliang, and Yushan Erguotou, as well as an array of processed food products like Dragon-Phoenix Wine Chicken feet, Erguotou, and Walnut-Egg Yolk Popsicle. The special tastes will become part of your happy memories.

Holiday Villa Mango Market:
Taste the special fruit of Guantian – Mango at the Holiday Villa Mango Market and then move on to the residence of President Chen Shui-Bian – Sijhuang Village for a peak of the childhood of the first president of the commoners in Taiwan. While you are immersed in the simple and relaxing air of the nostalgic tour, don’t forget to pay a visit to the popular Hueian Temple.

Sijhuang Village Residence of President Chen Shui-Bian:
There are still quite a few old mansions left in Guantian Township. Especially interesting is the old house of President Chen Shui-Bian. The simple old house records the childhood of Taiwan’s first president out of the commoners. It has become a must-go spot for tourists.

Hulu (Bottle Gourd) Pond Water Chestnut Field:
Funded by Mr. Chen Fen-Yong and other local gents, this 埤was built in 1788 (Qianlong 53 Qing Dynasty). Hulu Pond was natural lowland embanked for rainwater storage; it was an important part of the overall irrigation system. As its shape mimics a Bottle Gourd, the locals call it the Bottle Gourd (Hulu) Pond. “Rafts over flowers of water chestnuts” – turn west and go straight for around 3 Km; you will see Hulu Pond in the end of the cheering country roads. Lazing off in the air of nostalgia, enchanted by the gentle fairies (water chestnut birds) on the water, the swamp is a perfect home for white egrets. Rafts and fragrance of water chestnuts, this picture of vibrant colors depicts the country of the smiling veggie – this is the home of water chestnuts – this is Guantian.

What to eat
Featured Gourmet
Water Chestnut Feast at Kaisuan Restaurant :
To promote water chestnut, Guantian Farmers’ Association injected a new life into this humble vegetable. Integrated with culture and history, the Festival of Water Chestnuts was held from the 5th to 12th of October in 1997. In the festival, the Farmers’ Association hosted a banquet by the side of the famous “Rafts & Water Chestnuts” imagery of Guantian – Hulu Pond. The outdoor feast featured master creations of water-chestnut gourmets.
But, if you want it now, you will have to search for it. Kaisuan Restaurant located right by the side of No. 1 Provincial Expressway at the Nanbu Village offers a twelve course combo set. The refreshing taste of water-chestnuts integrates with fine culinary art into dishes after dishes of delightful local favorites. It has been a must-have specialty for visitors of this area. 

 University of Arts Bookstore Café:
Books of Arts – this bookstore opened in March 2006 selling various publications of arts. Since its opening, this bookstore has become the café for spiritual food for teachers, students, and local residents alike. The café department of this bookshop offers coffee, tea, books, fantastic views, and an afternoon of leisure. 

 Dahua Dumpling:
Mixed with shank and belly meat, soy sauce, chopped garlic, cabbage, and spices, Dahua’s dumplings have a special taste and texture. And, don’t forget to have a bowl of the sour and spicy soup to go with the delicious dumplings. 

 Erjheng King of Duck:
Erjheng King of Duck offers delicious duck meat, duck intestines, and duck noodles. Ducks sold here are specially picked ducks of 65 to 70 days old. Baked in a metal barrel without adding any water, the control of the time and the fire is a family secret. Offered in limited quantity each day, crunchy and aromatic duck intestines are the most popular dish here. 

 Water Chestnut Cake:
Sweet juicy water chestnut is a special product of Guantian. Water chestnuts are full of protein, carbohydrate, dietary fibers, minerals, and vitamins. Nutritious as well as delicious, water chestnuts are stable foods in some occasions. They are usually cooked with just a tad of salt for its refreshing taste. Of course, there are numerous ways to cook water chestnuts, broiled, stir fried, cooked in soup, or deep fried; no matter how you have it, the special light and gentle taste will make you come back for more. There are also an array of processed water chestnut products like water chestnut wine, water chestnut sauce, and water chestnut cakes. Winning the crown, water chestnut cakes invented by Ms Lin-Chen Yue-Xiang won the No. 3 title out of contestants from 31 townships and villages in the Tainan County Culinary Art Competition. Sweet and aromatic, this special cake, a favorite of the locals, became a representation of Guantian.