Baihe Daxian Temple

Baihe Daxian Temple

Baihe Daxian Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Baihe Daxian Temple, also known as Volcano Daxian Temple or Guanzilin Daxian Temple, commonly referred to as Daxian Temple or Old Cliff, is located in Guanzilin, Baihe, Tainan City, Taiwan. It is a third-grade historic site, a Linji school Buddhist temple, and together with the commonly known New Cliff—Volcano Biyun Temple—is collectively called Guanling Cloud Cliff, one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Southern Taiwan. It is also one of the most famous religious tourist destinations in the Baihe District.

Baihe Daxian Temple was originally built in the 40th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1701) by Chan Master Canche of the Linji school. After undergoing expansion and improvement over several generations, it once became the largest religious destination in the area. However, it suffered severe damage during the Japanese colonial period and gradually fell into disuse. In the 4th year of the Republic of China, Liao Tan, the administrator of Daxian Temple and president of the Taiwan Lay Buddhist Longhua Association, visited Japan to seek ways to revive the temple. Upon returning, he received strong support from Abbot Shen De (Master Derong), who helped raise funds. They rebuilt the Mahavira Hall in the style of Nara’s Tōdai-ji in Japan and established Daxianyan Book House (the predecessor of today’s Xiancao Elementary School) in front of the temple. These efforts gradually restored the temple’s vitality, attracting an increasing number of worshippers and tourists.

Baihe Big Fairy Temple

Must-visit reason: One of Tainan’s renowned religious tourist destinations

Baihe District [Baihe District]