Lucky Travel in the Year of the Sheep: Head to Nantou’s Zinan Temple for Prosperity

Located in Zhushan, Nantou, Zinan Temple is Taiwan’s most famous God of Wealth temple, bustling with worshippers. It’s said that as long as devotees use the borrowed money for livelihood purposes, their wishes will be granted. As a result, during the Lunar New Year period, thousands flock to Zinan Temple in Zhushan, Nantou, hoping to receive blessings from the Earth God for abundant wealth in the coming year. Additionally, the golden rooster beside the temple symbolizes “prosperity.” Worshippers can place gold leaf on it and offer any amount of donation, attaching gold leaf to different parts of the rooster representing various types of fortune—making for a fun and meaningful ritual.

But when visiting Zinan Temple in Nantou, there are plenty of other nearby attractions to explore. Before heading out to pray for wealth, consider first visiting the thrilling Zhushan Sky Ladder, then relaxing your mind and body at the spiritually rich Bagua Tea Garden. On your way back, stop by Weir Heat Hill to enjoy some pineapple cakes and kick off the new year even more auspiciously.

The Sky Ladder Rope Bridge, located in the Taiji Canyon of Daran Village, was specially constructed by Nantou County Government with the help of Japanese engineers as a “staircase-style suspension bridge.” It stretches 136 meters with 208 steps. Beneath the bridge lies Taiji Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of Western Taiwan,” featuring dramatic rock formations and cliffs—a must-visit attraction in Zhushan, Nantou.

The concentric circles of tea terraces are said to have been planted following soil conservation principles, gradually forming what now resembles a bagua (eight trigrams) pattern. Many commercials and films have been shot here, making it a favorite spot for photography enthusiasts.