Top 10 Must-Visit Temples in Taiwan for a Fortunate Start to the Year of the Monkey

● Nankunshen Daitian Temple
Nankunshen Daitian Temple was built in 1661 and has a history of over 300 years. It is located in Kunjiang Village, Beimen District. During the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, it was established on Nankunshen Sand due to its terrain resembling the body of a kūn fish, hence its name. It is known as the “No. 1 Temple under Heaven” and is one of the largest temple structures in Taiwan. The temple complex consists of two parts: the Daitian Temple, which enshrines the Five Kings, and the Wan Shan Hall, which worships the Ten Thousand Virtuous Spirits. Its grandeur, vast grounds, and the immense popularity of its incense offerings are unmatched across Taiwan.

● Nanshan Fude Temple
Among the many well-known Earth God temples in Taiwan, the northern one is Nanshan Fude Temple, while the southern counterpart is Checheng Fu’an Temple. These two are both central to Taiwanese folk beliefs. Nanshan Fude Temple is located not far from another hilltop northeast of Honeypot Mountain, at an altitude of about 295 meters. Established in 1736, it has a history of 260 years. The temple enshrines the God of Earth (Fude Zhengshen). It is said that the location of Nanshan Fude Temple has excellent feng shui, with two prominent hills extending on either side of the temple site, forming a tripod-like shape resembling a stovetop – this is the origin of the name “Honeypot Mountain.” About fifty meters below the temple stands a huge rock. Feng shui masters refer to it as the fire mother of the stove. With the stove getting its fire mother, it becomes ever-thriving. Local residents believe this is a rare blessed land. The approximately two-meter-tall statue of the Earth God has a gold ingot in his hand, which has been polished to a shine by the faithful. It is said that rubbing the ingot with sincere prayers can make wishes come true.

● Yunlin Beigang Chaotian Temple
Beigang Chaotian Temple, also known as the Beigang Mazu Temple or Tianhou Temple, enjoys year-round bustling incense offerings. The two most lively annual festivals are the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month and Mazu’s birthday on the 23rd of the third lunar month. The Lantern Festival features lantern competitions, while during Mazu’s birthday, devotees and branch temples from all over return to Beigang to offer incense. The scale is grand, and the parade around the town is accompanied by the clamor of drums and gongs, attracting thousands, marking the climax of the Mazu worship season. The entire town of Beigang is immersed in a strong religious atmosphere.

● Sanxia Qingshui Zuoshi Temple
The Zuoshi Temple was built in 1769 and was rebuilt in 1833 after being damaged by an earthquake. After many twists and turns, following Taiwan's retrocession, it was redesigned under the leadership of artist Mr. Li Meishu. He advocated that the temple should be a fusion of Chinese history, culture, and temple art, and with his background in Western painting, he also introduced elements of Western art. The temple is dedicated to Qingshui Zuoshi. There are various accounts of his life, with different temples recording different versions. According to the version from Sanxia Zuoshi Temple, Zuoshi’s original name was Chen Zhaoying, a native of Kaifeng Prefecture in the Northern Song Dynasty. He was granted a title for his merit and established a shrine in Qingyanshan, Anxi County, Fujian Province, where he later secluded himself, hence the name Qingshui Zuoshi. The people of Anxi refer to the shrine as the “Zuoshi Temple.” Due to the powerful efficacy of Qingshui Zuoshi, the temple has long been the center of faith and social activity in Sanxia. Its architecture, carvings, and paintings are considered classic masterpieces among Taiwan’s temples.