Shrine of the Deity Qingshui

　　Since the mid-Qing Dynasty, the Shrine of the Deity Qingshui has been the religious center of the Sanxia area. With its traditional construction and the involvement of master folk artisans, the temple features exquisitely carved beams and painted rafters, earning it the reputation as a “palace of folk art.”

　　Covering an area of approximately 500 pyeong, the shrine is adorned with intricate wood carvings, bronze sculptures, and stone carvings that are truly a feast for the eyes. Each wood carving draws inspiration from classical sources such as the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Investiture of the Gods, and Journey to the West. After carving, the pieces are painted with white, red, or yellow base coats, and then finished with gold leaf—each one vividly lifelike.

　　Bronze sculptures include gate deities, bronze gods, and large bas-reliefs. The ten large bronze door deities on the front hall’s gate are unique in style, differing from the flat paintings commonly seen in other temples. Moreover, the abundance and refinement of the stone carvings within the shrine surpass those of other temples. The 55 pairs of stone pillars vary in material, carving technique, and patterns, while the calligraphy inscribed on the pillars encompasses fonts from various dynasties, including large seal, small seal, clerical, regular, running, and cursive scripts—some even penned by renowned calligraphers. The pillars are also decorated with numerous delicate floral, bird, and plum motifs, as well as vivid dragon pillars.

　　The shrine holds its annual ancestral ceremony for the Deity Qingshui on the sixth day of the first lunar month, which is the grandest temple fair in the Sanxia area. On this day, every household prepares offerings to worship the deity, and there is a competition featuring large sacrificial pigs, drawing huge crowds and creating a magnificent spectacle.

　　Transportation Guide

　　1. Take a Taiwan Motor Transport bus from Taipei’s Guiyang Street bound for Sanxia, or take a Taipei Bus from Zhonghua Road bound for Sanxia, both of which stop at the Sanxia Station.

　　2. Take a Taipei Bus from Xindian bound for Sanxia and get off at Sanxia.