A Must-Visit Attraction on Your Nantou Good Luck Day Trip to Pray for Wealth at Zinan Temple

By MOOK Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
Every Lunar New Year, Nantou’s Zinan Temple sees a surge of worshippers coming to pray for Fortune Money (Fa Cai Jin) and seek abundant wealth in the coming year. This Spring Festival, Zinan Temple specially commissioned the design of uniquely shaped “Money Mothers” and golden eggs, which will be given out starting at 9 AM on the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 8). Those interested are advised to queue up early for a chance to receive them. In addition, there are many attractions along the way to Zinan Temple. Whether before or after praying for wealth, you can take your family for an outing to embrace the fresh start of the new year.

● Zinan Temple
Originally created to help devotees earn a livelihood, the “Fude Gold” borrowing and repayment system was established. To borrow Fude Gold, worshippers must first throw divining blocks {J}—up to six times—with the first lucky throw allowing a loan of NT$600, decreasing each subsequent time. The money must be repaid by the end of the year as a gesture of gratitude to the Earth God. Nowadays, every Lunar New Year, large numbers of believers travel from afar just to borrow Fortune Money, hoping for the Earth God’s blessing for continuous wealth. During the Spring Festival, worshippers can come to Zinan Temple to collect “Money Mothers” from the first to the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. This year, on the morning of the first day at 9 AM, Zinan Temple will host a “Money Mother and Golden Egg” event, where each golden egg contains 1 or 2 qian (approximately 3.75–7.5 grams) of gold, along with cash prizes ranging from NT$100 to NT$3,600.

【Info】
Address: No. 40, Dagong St., Zhushan Township, Nantou County
Tel: (049) 262-3722
Hours: 07:00–21:00
 
Praying for / Repaying Fortune Gold at Zinan Temple
◎ Fortune Gold (Praying for Gold)
For “Fude Gold” prayers (praying for gold), to ensure that worshippers nationwide can have their wishes “granted,” Zinan Temple handles gold prayers and collection procedures daily from 7 AM to 9 PM, all year round (except on New Year’s Eve). Devotees can come to Zinan Temple to “pray for gold.” The process typically involves worshipping the Earth God and Earth Goddess by burning incense, then “drawing lots” {J} by bowing to the deities, stating your name, address, and wishes, followed by throwing the divining blocks {J}.
1. Those who get a “lucky throw” {J} on the first try can request NT$600.
2. If the first throw is not lucky, you may bow again to the deities, state your name, address, and wishes, then throw the blocks again. If you get a lucky throw, you can request NT$500.
3. Continuing this process, those who get a lucky throw can request NT$400, NT$300, NT$200, or NT$100.
4. If you do not get a lucky throw after six attempts, please try again next time.
5. Alternatively, you may try praying for a Lucky Golden Chicken (auspicious golden chicken).
 
For collecting the prayed-for gold, those whose wishes are granted should go to the Zinan Temple service center, fill out personal information and the amount of gold requested, and present a valid ID (original ID card / driver’s license / health insurance card with photo / must be over 20 years old / passport).

◎ Repaying Gold (Returning Prayed-For Gold)Add any amount of donation as you wish
The method for “repaying gold” is that worshippers usually repay within one year after receiving the gold. Devotees’ wishes vary greatly—from career success and smooth work life, to academic achievements, asking the Earth God to find gold or cars, or praying for family safety. The Earth God is said to “grant all wishes,” and worshippers often add extra donations when repaying as a token of gratitude. Some may immediately pray for more gold after repaying, for continued safety, becoming loyal devotees of Zinan Temple’s Earth God.
The repayment hours are the same as the prayer hours. To repay, bring valid ID or the red envelope used for praying (include your name, contact number, and ID number in the envelope), place the repayment amount inside, and the service staff will provide a receipt, completing the prayer and repayment process.
 
The time for returning the gold is the same as that for requesting it. To return the gold, please bring your ID or the red envelope used for the request (with the red envelope including your name, contact number, and ID number), place the returned amount inside, and have the service staff issue a receipt to complete the requesting and returning process.

 
 
● Bagua Tea Garden
The circular tea terraces are said to have been planted along the natural contours of the land, gradually forming what looks like a bagua (eight trigrams) pattern. It has been the filming location for numerous commercials and films, and is a favorite spot for photography enthusiasts.

【Info】
Address: No. 11-1, Wuliao Lane, D’aran Village, Zhushan Township, Nantou County
 
● Zhushan Sky Ladder (Ladder Suspension Bridge)
Located within the Taiji Canyon in D’aran Village, the Sky Ladder Suspension Bridge is a “staircase-style suspension bridge” specially commissioned by Nantou County Government and built by Japanese engineers. It spans a total length of 136 meters with 208 steps. Beneath the bridge lies Taiji Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of Western Taiwan,” which features breathtaking rock formations and steep cliffs—making it a must-visit attraction in Zhushan, Nantou.