Longshan Temple

Overview

Longshan Temple is a richly ornamented Chinese folk religious temple originally built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian province. It remains one of Taipei's most active and atmospheric places of worship.

Highlights

• Ornate Roof: Multi-tiered ceramic swallowtail roofs covered with intricate dragon, phoenix, and deity figurines.
• Waterfall Worship Hall: The main hall's elegant cascade of incense smoke and chanting creates a deeply immersive spiritual atmosphere.
• Fortune Telling: Visitors can use traditional crescent-shaped divination blocks (jiaobei) to seek guidance from the gods.

History

Built in 1738 during the Qing dynasty, the temple has survived earthquakes, typhoons, and WWII allied bombing that destroyed the main hall in 1945 while miraculously leaving the Guanyin statue unharmed. Faithfully rebuilt each time.

Visitor Tips

• Evening Visit: The temple is beautifully illuminated at night and the evening chanting ceremony is particularly atmospheric.
• Respect: Dress modestly and follow the one-way traffic flow through the temple.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.