The Best Temples to Visit in Taiwan

Taiwan, the tiny island between the Philippines and Japan is commonly referred to as the Heart of Asia, a nation where the traditional, spiritual and modern coexist in harmony. Taiwan is home to vibrant night markets, spectacular mountainous landscape, and its delectable cuisines, but the main attraction to this country is its temples. These places of worship are not just the places of worship, but lively windows of the culture, history and spirituality of the island.

Every single temple in Taiwan has some kind of story in it – about the ancient dynasties, settlers who migrated to Taiwan, spiritual life and the art mastership. Their colorful roofs, elaborate carvings, and sticky incense make the sense mystical and very grounding. When tourists want to experience a closer relationship to Taiwanese culture, they cannot find anything better to do than to visit its temples.

These are the most outstanding temples in Taiwan that best represent the cultural soul and spirit of the country.

Longshan Temple (Taipei)

Longshan Temple is one of the oldest and holiest temples in Taiwan and it is situated in Wanhua District of Taipei which is a busy place. Fujianese settlers constructed it in 1738, in honor of Guanyin, Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, with the addition of Taoist deities, which is just the ideal illustration of the harmonious religious state of Taiwan.

The exquisite carvings and huge dragon pillars of the temple as well as the colorful murals reveal the genius of Chinese ancient art. Once inside there is the scent of burning incense and the sound of chanting that instantly takes you back to another time.

It is particularly alluring to go there in the evening when hundreds of lanterns are lit in the temple, and all is calm and solemn. It is one of the most suitable places to observe Taiwanese spirituality in its purest form because locals come here every day and pray to achieve good fortune, peace, and prosperity.

Kaohsiung (Fo Guang Shan Monastery)

Fo Guang Shan is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan and one of the most spiritually important in Asia, which is located in Kaohsiung. It is not only a temple but a large complex of religious buildings that propagate the philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism – a practice that focuses on the introduction of Buddhist values in life.

The best place here is the 108-meter-tall image of the Buddha with eight smaller pagodas and green gardens making a picture of utter peace. The complex also has meditation halls, a Buddha Museum and a few vegetarian restaurants serving nutritious meals made by monks.

Tourists have access to guided tours, meditative sessions, and it is possible to just walk in the serene courtyards and experience the relaxed energy of the premises. Fo Guang Shan is not only a tourist attraction site but also a spiritual getaway as it brings enlightenment, mindfulness, and peace everywhere.

Confucius Temple (Tainan)

The Confucius Temple is situated in Taiwan, the ancient capital of the city of Tainan. The oldest Confucian temple in Taiwan and a seat of learning and moral philosophy was constructed in 1665.

The red-walled courtyards, arched gates, and calligraphic plaques of the temple are simple and elegant and best define the Confucian principles of order, balance, and humility. Entering its silent halls is like entering some other time period when education and virtue were valued the most.

The temple is lively on every September 28 th every year in the celebration of the birthday of Confucius. The rituals, ceremonies and the traditional music of the ceremony are a tribute to the teachings of the philosopher and it is an amazing cultural experience to the tourists.

This temple is worth a visit to those travelers who aim at being motivated intellectually and at the same time, experience interior tranquility.

Zushi Temple (Sanxia)

The Zushi Temple, which is one of the most aesthetically beautiful temples in Taiwan, is located in a small town in Taiwan known as Sanxia, near Taipei. This temple was devoted to Qingshui Zushi, a deity of the Taoists who was admired by his virtue and wisdom. It is the real masterpiece of Taiwanese craftsmanship.

The entire Zushi Temple is covered with a skillful carving, huge stone sculptures, and colourful reliefs of mythological animals, heroes of legends and religious symbols. It is unbelievable how much attention is paid to detail – even the roof beams and ceilings are decorated with hand-carved motifs.

When you are in the temple, you should not fail to find a walk through Sanxia Old Street, which is adjacent to the temple. The artisans and local snacks together with the red-brick structures also make it a wonderful place to visit and buy souvenirs and traditional sweets. Going to Zushi Temple is like having a living art and religious museum.

Chihkan Tower (Tainan)

Another gem of Tainan is Chihkan Tower that is a mixture of history and spirituality truly unique. It was initially constructed by the Dutch in the 17th century as Fort Provintia and was converted to a temple complex fusing western and eastern architectural designs.

It has red-brick-walled shrines to different deities, calm courtyards, and a peaceful koi pond. The ancient tablets and stone writings in the site contain centuries of cultural interaction, the history of colonization, and the legend of the land.

Chihkan Tower should be given as a must visit place to any history lovers as it is a meeting point of the colonial past and spiritual traditions of Taiwan. It is one of the most interesting sites in the country because of its aura of calmness and architectural beauty.

Final Thoughts

The Taiwanese temples are not just a place of worship but also a custodian of culture, art and identity. Whether it is the majesty of Fo Guang Shan or the simplicity of Zushi Temple, every one of them presents a new insight into the spiritual soul of the island.

You want to find peace, you want to be inspired, you just want to see beauty, and visiting these temples will enrich your knowledge about the Taiwan rich traditions and eternal accord between past and present.