Ring in the Year of the Sheep with the First Incense Offering at Taiwan’s Top 10 Temples for Good Fortune
Last updated 2026-09-24 — Offering the first incense of the year is a traditional folk custom during temple fairs in Taiwan to celebrate the New Year. Besides symbolizing good luck, it also serves as a prayer for prosperity in the coming year. Starting from New Year’s Eve, after the reunion dinner, people head to temples and shrines to offer incense and pray for blessings. On New Year’s Eve, some temples may temporarily close their doors, sealing the main incense burner with red paper, and await divine guidance on the auspicious hour of midnight before opening the doors. At that moment, worshippers waiting outside rush in to be the first to insert their incense stick, hence the term “first incense offering.” It’s believed that those who secure the first incense will receive special favor from the deities and enjoy good fortune throughout the year. As a result, many people make a point to visit temples early on the first day of the New Year, and some even queue overnight for the auspicious ritual. Below is a list of the ten most popular temples during the New Year period, where the incense burns brightest. Don’t miss your chance to pray for blessings while visiting these spiritual sites.
Editorial Compilation by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network
Praying for blessings at temples in the New Year 2015. (Image source / fokusjabar)
● Beigang Chaotian Temple, Yunlin
Beigang Chaotian Temple, also known as the Beigang Mazu Temple or Tianhou Temple, is a place of year-round incense offerings. The two most lively festivals of the year are the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month and Mazu’s birthday on March 23. During the Lantern Festival, the main event is a lantern competition, while Mazu’s birthday celebrations see devotees and branch temples from across the region flocking to Beigang to offer incense, creating a grand and bustling atmosphere. The parade during the festival is especially lively, with drums and gongs echoing through the streets and attracting huge crowds, marking the peak of Mazu’s worship period. The entire town of Beigang is immersed in a strong religious ambiance.
Beigang Chaotian Temple. (Image source / Yunlin County Government)
● Nanputuo Daisuitang (NanKunShan DaiFu Temple)
Built in 1661, Nanputuo Daisuitang, also known as NanKunShan DaiFu Temple, boasts a history of over 300 years. Located in Kunjiang Village, Beimen District, it was originally constructed on Nankunshan Shoal during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. The temple derives its name from the shoal’s resemblance to the body of a kun fish (a giant mythical fish). Renowned as the “No. 1 Temple under Heaven,” it stands as one of the largest temple complexes in Taiwan. The temple consists of two main structures: the front Daisuitang, dedicated to the Five Lords of Heaven, and the rear Wanshan Hall, dedicated to the God of All Virtuous Spirits. Its grand and expansive architecture, coupled with its immense popularity, makes it unrivaled across Taiwan.
Nanputuo Daisuitang. (Image source / Cultural Heritage Bureau, Ministry of Culture)
● Nanshan Fude Temple
Among Taiwan’s many renowned Earth God temples, Nanshan Fude Temple in the north and Checheng Fu’an Temple in the south are considered the most representative, both serving as key centers of folk faith. Nanshan Fude Temple is located not far from another peak northeast of Honeypot Hill, at an elevation of about 295 meters. Established in 1736, the temple has a history of 260 years and enshrines the God of Earth (Fude Zhengshen). It’s said that Nanshan Fude Temple sits at an exceptionally auspicious feng shui location, with two hilltops jutting out on either side of the temple site, forming a stable three-legged formation resembling a traditional stove—a reference to the name “Honeypot Hill.” About fifty meters below the temple lies a massive rock, which feng shui masters refer to as the “fire mother” of the stove. With the fire mother beneath it, the stove is believed to burn eternally. Locals regard this as a rare blessed land. The approximately two-meter-tall statue of the Earth God here has a gold ingot in its hand, polished to a shine by the devout touches of worshippers. It’s said that sincerely rubbing the ingot while making a wish can make it come true.
Honeypot Hill Nanshan Fude Temple. (Image source / Honeypot Hill Nanshan Fude Temple)
● Checheng Fu’an Temple
Located in Checheng Township, Pingtung County, Checheng Fu’an Temple claims to be the largest Earth God temple in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. The temple is said to have wielded remarkable divine power, protecting the local community for 300 years, and remains a key place of worship in Hengchun. The Earth God statue enshrined in the main hall is adorned with numerous gold medals, reportedly bestowed by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, who honored the deity with a royal crown and dragon robe. This adds to the imposing presence of what is considered the most majestic Earth God statue in the province. Aside from being the largest Earth God temple in Southeast Asia, Fu’an Temple has also become the site of the “most first incense offerings” nationwide, thanks to its consecutive ninth annual first incense event.
Checheng Fu’an Temple. (Image source / taiwantemple)
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