About Longshan Temple
Longshan Temple is one of the most iconic and historically significant temples in Taipei, Taiwan. Located in the vibrant Wanhua District, Longshan Temple has served as a center of spiritual and cultural life for the city for centuries. The temple is dedicated to Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, and is also a place of worship for various other deities, including Mazu, Sakyamuni Buddha, and Guangong (Guan Yu).
When you visit Longshan Temple, you will feel a deep sense of awe and spirituality. The air is thick with the scent of incense, and you can hear devotees quietly chanting and praying. This is a place where people from all walks of life come to find peace and solace. Longshan Temple is an active pilgrimage site for many local residents, especially the older generation. Visitors can explore the beauty and history of the temple while observing local devotees praying, and experience the fusion of modern and traditional life.
Longshan Temple is a historical and spiritual gem in the heart of Taipei. Whether you are seeking religious solace, learning about Taiwan’s cultural heritage, or simply admiring its magnificent architecture, Longshan Temple is an essential visit. It offers a blend of spirituality, history, and culture, making it one of the most beloved and significant landmarks in Taipei.
Historical Background
Originally built in 1738, Longshan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Taipei. It was founded by Chinese settlers from Fujian province and was originally constructed to provide religious and spiritual guidance to the growing Chinese community in Taipei. Over the years, the temple has been rebuilt and renovated several times, particularly after it was damaged in various natural disasters, including bombings during World War II. Despite these challenges, Longshan Temple has remained an enduring symbol of faith and resilience.
Architectural Features
The temple is a stunning example of traditional Taiwanese temple architecture, with a distinctive blend of Chinese, Buddhist, and Taoist influences. Its layout follows the classic design of Taoist temples, featuring a main hall, a side hall, and an open courtyard.
Key architectural features of the temple include:
Intricate Carvings
The temple is known for its elaborate woodwork and stone carvings, including depictions of mythological figures, deities, and animals.
Colorful Roof
The temple’s roof is adorned with dragons, phoenixes, and other mythical creatures, symbolic of strength and protection.
Golden Statues
Inside the temple, visitors will find golden statues of deities, with the most prominent being the statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, at the center of the main hall.
Ceramic Decorations
The temple also features beautiful ceramic tiles that tell stories from Chinese folklore.
Religious Practices
Longshan Temple is a multifaceted religious space that serves both as a Buddhist and Taoist place of worship. It is primarily known for being a Buddhist temple dedicated to Guanyin, but it also hosts Taoist deities, making it a blend of spiritual traditions.
Guanyin Bodhisattva
The main deity enshrined in the main hall of the temple is Guanyin Bodhisattva. She is the most well-known goddess to the Taiwanese people. There are other divine spirits in the temple. In addition to believers, this temple also attracts travelers from all over the world. They come to visit and appreciate this historical temple.
Yue Lao
In Taiwan, Yue Lao is in charge of Marriage and Love. Many people believe that if you make a wish for love at this temple, your dreams will come true. The main reasons why many people visit the temple are to find a good marriage partner and to have a happy marriage life. In fact, each Yue Lao temple has different ways of worshipping. If you are not sure, you can ask the temple first. The temple will have someone to explain so that you can successfully find your marriage partner. The most important thing is definitely a pious heart.
Offerings and Prayers
Devotees visit Longshan Temple to offer incense, flowers, and food to the gods and to seek blessings for health, happiness, prosperity, and protection. The temple is especially crowded during Chinese New Year and other traditional festivals.
Divination and Fortune Telling
Like many Taiwanese temples, Longshan Temple offers a traditional form of divination using bamboo sticks (known as jiǎo bēi). Worshippers ask questions and toss the sticks to receive answers.
Which Doors Do I Walk Through?
If temples have three doors. When you visit Longshan Temple, not every door is open to you. When you stand in front of the temple, the right side is the Dragon Gate, the left side is the Tiger Gate, and the middle is the Central Gate. When you enter or leave the temple, you must enter through the Dragon Gate and exit through the Tiger Gate, which means good luck comes and bad luck goes away. The rule allows worshippers to walk in a counter-clockwise direction. You cannot go through the Central Gate because only Gods can enter and exit this entrance.
Dress Code?
Eating upon entering a temple is not permitted. You can enter most Taiwanese temples if you are wearing a vest, shorts, skirt, sandals, sunglasses, etc. There is no special dress code for visiting temples in Taiwan. Just wear normal clothes. In the minds of locals, you can wear whatever you like, but you must dress modestly in the temple.
Opening Hours
Opening hours: 06:00-22:00
Price
Cost: Free Entrance
The Best Time to Visit
There are morning and evening chanting sessions at 6:00 and 3:45 every day, and there is also group chanting at 8:00 in the morning. This is a great opportunity for you to understand and experience Taiwan’s Buddhist and Taoist culture and local religious life.
There are morning and evening chanting sessions at 6 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. every day, as well as group chanting at 8 a.m., all of which are great choices for understanding and experiencing Taiwan’s Buddhist and Taoist culture and local religious life.
How to get to?
Transportation information
From: MRT(BL10 Longshan Temple Exit 1) → walk 100 meters
Google Map: Longshan Temple
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