Lungshan Temple

Lungshan Temple of Manka is the temple most visitors see first in Taipei, and it remains a busy place of worship rather than a museum. It was founded in 1738, during Qing rule, by settlers from Fujian who named it after a temple in their home province, and it stands in Wanhua, the old riverside district once known as Manka. The temple is dedicated to Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, but over the centuries it has gathered hundreds of statues of Buddhist, Taoist and folk deities, so worshippers come with very different prayers.

The complex is arranged in three halls. The front hall leads into the main hall, where Guanyin sits at the centre, and the rear hall, added in the late eighteenth century, honours Mazu and other deities. Among the shrines here are altars to Wenchang, the patron of scholars, Guan Yu, and Yue Lao, the matchmaker, whose altar draws people hoping for love; they cast crescent-shaped jiaobei blocks to ask for an answer and may take a red thread. Visitors traditionally enter through the Dragon Gate and leave through the Tiger Gate. The present buildings date largely from a rebuild between 1919 and 1924 under the builder Wang Yi-shun, and they are known for carved stone and wood, bronze dragon columns and elaborate roof decoration. The main hall burned when the temple was hit in an air raid on 31 May 1945, but the Guanyin statue survived, and the temple was rebuilt after the war. It was designated a historic site in 1985.

The temple suits anyone curious about everyday religion in Taiwan. You will see people of all ages lighting incense, leaving offerings and consulting the gods. Be respectful: keep your voice down, do not block worshippers at the altars, and ask before photographing people at prayer. Entry is free, and a visit of 30 to 60 minutes is usually enough, though it is worth staying longer to watch the rhythm of the place.

The official tourism site lists opening hours from 06:00 to 22:00. Early morning and evening tend to be calmer than the middle of the day, while major festivals such as Lunar New Year bring very large crowds, so plan around them if you prefer space to look at the carvings.

The temple sits on Guangzhou Street in Wanhua, and Longshan Temple MRT station is within walking distance. The surrounding streets are among the oldest in Taipei, and the visit pairs well with a bowl of beef noodles at Lao Shan Dong, also in Wanhua, or an evening in Ximending.