Longshan Temple, Taipei (must see)
The Longshan Temple was originally constructed in 1738 and was a place for Chinese settlers to worship. Part of the original construction included Buddhist elements, as well as altars and halls dedicated to the Chinese deities Guan Yu and Mazu. This temple has seen rebuilding and renovations because of earthquakes and fires over the years.
The last rebuilding of the temple took place after World War II. Today, one of the most noteworthy attractions is the outer courtyard, which has unique elements that include Taoist symbols, along with Buddhist and Confucian symbols. The temple and courtyard boast an impressive display of color.
Carvings found throughout the temple and on the exterior are intricate, with a lot of detail. Dragons are famous figures found throughout the temple, and the temple's name translates to "dragon mountain". Buddha figures in gold are also quite popular.
Decorations are popular in the temple, especially during certain holidays. For example, during the Lunar New Year, you are likely to see a lot of lanterns. Flowers are usually in abundance throughout this building.
One of the altars that attract a lot of attention is the altar to Yue Lao, a god revered as being a matchmaker. Single Taipei residents often come to this altar to pray for their true love to go to them and remain with them forever. There are pieces of string that worshipers can take to tie around their true love's wrist when they find them.
Why You Should Visit:
The Longshan Temple is one of the oldest and most important temples in Taiwan.
Tip:
The temple can be quite full with tour groups during certain days so try to avoid peak hours. There are local food stalls around the temple and plenty of shops selling Buddhist merch in the nearby underground mall.
The last rebuilding of the temple took place after World War II. Today, one of the most noteworthy attractions is the outer courtyard, which has unique elements that include Taoist symbols, along with Buddhist and Confucian symbols. The temple and courtyard boast an impressive display of color.
Carvings found throughout the temple and on the exterior are intricate, with a lot of detail. Dragons are famous figures found throughout the temple, and the temple's name translates to "dragon mountain". Buddha figures in gold are also quite popular.
Decorations are popular in the temple, especially during certain holidays. For example, during the Lunar New Year, you are likely to see a lot of lanterns. Flowers are usually in abundance throughout this building.
One of the altars that attract a lot of attention is the altar to Yue Lao, a god revered as being a matchmaker. Single Taipei residents often come to this altar to pray for their true love to go to them and remain with them forever. There are pieces of string that worshipers can take to tie around their true love's wrist when they find them.
Why You Should Visit:
The Longshan Temple is one of the oldest and most important temples in Taiwan.
Tip:
The temple can be quite full with tour groups during certain days so try to avoid peak hours. There are local food stalls around the temple and plenty of shops selling Buddhist merch in the nearby underground mall.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Taipei. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Longshan Temple on Map
Sight Name: Longshan Temple
Sight Location: Taipei, Taiwan (See walking tours in Taipei)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Taipei, Taiwan (See walking tours in Taipei)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Taipei, Taiwan
Create Your Own Walk in Taipei
Creating your own self-guided walk in Taipei is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Taipei Introduction Walking Tour
Taipei is the political, economic, educational and cultural center of Taiwan, with a population of 2.5 million. The region of Taipei had been mainly inhabited by the Ketagalan tribe prior to the large influx of mainland Chinese immigrants in the 17th century.
Under the Qing Dynasty of China, Taipei was made the capital of Taiwan in 1887 when the island was incorporated into a Chinese province.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Under the Qing Dynasty of China, Taipei was made the capital of Taiwan in 1887 when the island was incorporated into a Chinese province.... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Taipei Shopping Tour
Among the many things Taipei is famous for, shopping is undoubtedly one of the main. The fashion-conscious and business-oriented Taiwanese capital is rightfully regarded to be a shopper’s paradise in East Asia, comparable to the likes of Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. The variety of markets, boutique stores, shopping districts and, of course, first-class malls here is truly... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Zhongshan District Walking Tour
Covering a swathe of central Taipei, Zhongshan is the city's most fascinating district. It takes the name from Sun Yat-sen, aka Sun Zhongshan, who was a Chinese statesman and went down in history as the provisional first president of the Republic of China in 1912. Caught in the crosshatch of the area's main streets and secret alleyways is a wonderful mish-mash of attractions: museums and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Taipei 101 and Xiangshan Walking Tour
The newest area of urban Taipei, the Xinyi district has technically existed only since 1990. Young as it is though, the neighborhood has earned a reputation of being one of the city's premier travel destinations.
Indeed, in Xinyi you’re never too far from experiencing something truly cool or iconic, be it the impressive Taipei 101 with its landmark observation deck or the breathtaking... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Indeed, in Xinyi you’re never too far from experiencing something truly cool or iconic, be it the impressive Taipei 101 with its landmark observation deck or the breathtaking... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Other than being an affluent Chinese state off the shore of mainland China, a non-Chinese foreigner might not know much about Taiwan, unless one has already been there. The island is a home to some truly unique things hardly found anywhere else. In Taipei - the country's capital with a great...