Spend a Night at a Temple / Nostalgic Shitoushan & Meals Under NT$100

Text & Photos / 943 Excerpted from / Yuan Shen Publishing’s *Come Spend a Night at a Temple*





This Brings Good Luck
The main deities worshipped at Kuanyin Hall in Shitoushan include Guan Yu, enshrined in the Yuching Palace; Confucius, honored in the Dacheng Hall to the left; and Guanyin Bodhisattva, venerated in the Righteous Sound Hall on the right. Visitors to this place, enveloped in its classic, tranquil ambiance, often press their palms together in prayer for smooth sailing in all endeavors. Inside the main hall, there are very dedicated fortune interpreters available for consultation. In fact, divination sticks can be considered the most economical form of fortune-telling, problem-solving, and psychological counseling.



Such Peaceful Serenity
Located amidst a landscape dotted with temples, Kuanyin Hall offers sweeping views that make worldly concerns seem small and distant, naturally broadening one’s perspective. A couplet in the temple reads: “With an empty heart, agitation and tranquility are equally irrelevant; in cultivation and enlightenment, nothing binds the soul.” Reflecting on its meaning brings a sense of clarity—aren’t the vanity and glory of the mortal world as fleeting as passing clouds? With this realization, many long-standing worries can be let go.

Shrouded in mist year-round and visited by only a handful of tourists, the environment here is exceptionally peaceful, like a paradise on earth, exuding the spiritual "immortal aura" of a sacred mountain. Surrounded by lush woods, it attracts many hiking enthusiasts who come to stay overnight and trek, replenishing their body and spirit with the cool, fresh air. Trails wind through the emerald-green hills, and the refreshing breeze makes one feel physically and mentally at ease—an experience of pure comfort.



Scenic Routes Nearby
The mountain roads in this area are relatively narrow, so it’s recommended to use public transportation. Taking the Taiwan Pleasant Tourist Shuttle allows you to visit attractions such as Beipu Old Street, Nanzhuang Old Street, Xiangtian Lake, Baguali Tribe, Penglai Ecological Reserve (Fish Protection Trail), and Xianshan.

Accommodation Options
The “Shishan Building,” where the pilgrim dormitories are located, has a nostalgic vibe reminiscent of the old National Youth Corps activity centers. Though not particularly luxurious or modern, the rooms are bright and clean—perfectly adequate for a simple overnight stay.

The dining hall offers vegetarian meals: breakfast costs NT$60 per person, while lunch and dinner are NT$80 each. Group reservations are required, and for parties of five or more, a half-table set meal is NT$600, while a full-table banquet for ten or more costs between NT$2,000 and NT$4,000. There are stairs leading from the parking lot or Taiwan Pleasant Tourist Shuttle stop to the pilgrim building, taking about five to ten minutes to climb—please travel light if possible.