Attraction
Taipei 101 Observatory
The observation floors of Taipei 101, the 508-metre Xinyi tower, offer views across the Taipei Basin and a close look at its giant tuned mass damper.
Taipei Confucius Temple
A calm Fujian-style temple modelled on the Confucius Temple in Qufu, rebuilt in 1930 and known for its ceramic decoration and September ceremony.
At a glance
- Type
- Confucian temple
- Area
- Dalongdong (Datong), Taipei, Taiwan
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday) · 08:30–21:00
Good to know
- Free entry
- Open late
- Near Yuanshan MRT
Why we recommend it
The Taipei Confucius Temple offers a quiet contrast to the smoke and bustle of the city's folk temples. A first temple was built here in 1879, under the Qing dynasty, but it was demolished during the Japanese era, and the present buildings were completed in 1930 by the master builder Wang Yi-shun, who also worked on Lungshan Temple. The design is modelled on the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong, the birthplace of the philosopher, and it follows the southern Fujian style of architecture.
What makes the temple distinctive is its restraint. The overall design is deliberately plain, and the temple does without the spring couplets that hang at most other temples in Taiwan. The craftsmanship lies in the details instead. This is the only Confucius temple in Taiwan decorated with southern Fujian-style ceramic appliqué, and the colourful figures on the roofs and walls reward a slow look. In the main hall hangs a plaque reading Educate without Discrimination, a reminder of the temple's link with learning.
That link is very much alive. Students come with their parents before college entrance exams to ask for blessings, and the temple is a reference point for anyone interested in how Confucian values shape education and family life in Taiwan. Every year on 28 September the temple holds a ceremony in honour of Confucius, with traditional music and stylised dance; it is the best day to see the site in full use, although you should expect crowds.
The temple is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 21:00 and closed on Mondays. Entry is free, and 30 to 45 minutes is enough for most visitors. The courtyards are peaceful in the early morning and in the evening, which also makes it a good place for photography without crowds. It suits culture-minded travellers, families with older children and anyone seeking a calm break from busier sights.
The temple is on Dalong Street in the Datong District, and the nearest MRT station is Yuanshan on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line. It stands beside the Dalongdong Baoan Temple, so the two are easily combined, and the Taipei Fine Arts Museum is a short trip away in the same part of the city.
Taipei Confucius Temple FAQs
What are the opening hours?
The temple is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 21:00 and closed on Mondays.
Is there an entry fee?
No, entry to the temple is free.
Which MRT station is nearest?
Yuanshan Station on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line is the nearest station.
When was the temple built?
A first temple was built in 1879; the current buildings were completed in 1930 by Wang Yi-shun.
What happens on 28 September?
An annual ceremony honours Confucius with traditional music and stylised dance.
Why is the decoration so plain?
The design follows Confucian restraint, and the temple does not hang the spring couplets seen at most temples.
What is unique about the temple?
It is the only Confucius temple in Taiwan decorated with southern Fujian-style ceramic appliqué.
What is nearby?
The Dalongdong Baoan Temple stands beside it, and the Taipei Fine Arts Museum is in the same part of the city.