I really want to fall in love again this year — a must-visit guide to the two most efficacious Matchmaker Temples in northern Taiwan!

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

1. Wanhua – Longshan Temple

In last year’s ranking by DailyView Network Temperature Gauge of the ten most efficacious Matchmaker Temples in Taiwan, Longshan Temple in Taipei’s Wanhua District beat Xiahai City God Temple to become the most efficacious Matchmaker Temple in the eyes of netizens. For years, countless single men and women have come here to pray for a good romance, and many have returned to fulfill their vows after finding their perfect match — earning it the reputation of having the highest “return rate”! Don’t want to be alone this Qixi? Start by seeking guidance from the Matchmaker at Longshan Temple!

▲ Xiahai City God Temple has become a popular attraction in Dadaocheng. (Photo/From Wikimedia Commons)

▲ Longshan Temple is bustling with incense offerings. (Photo/Courtesy of Reporter Li Zhongquan)

Prayer Route: Front Hall — Main Hall — Rear Hall: The Hall of the Heavenly Goddess — Left Wing of the Hall of the Heavenly Goddess — Right Wing of the Hall of the Heavenly Goddess — Hall of the God of Literature — Hall of Hua Tuo — Hall of the God of War Guan Yu — Hall of the Matchmaker — Memorial Hall of Master Fuzhi — Founding Hall. There are a total of 7 incense burners, one stick of incense per burner.

Notes:
．Please follow the designated order for prayers, and first inform Guanyin Bodhisattva of your intentions.
．You must shake the divination sticks three times to get a positive answer before you can receive a red thread, which you should then pass through the flame of the Matchmaker’s incense burner and carry with you.
 
2. Dadaocheng – Xiahai City God Temple

Taipei’s Xiahai City God Temple has paired up 50,000 couples over the past decade — its efficacy needs no further explanation. Whenever you visit Dadaocheng, you’ll always see throngs of worshippers coming here to pray for a red thread. Previously, a Japanese TV drama was even filmed here, drawing an increasing number of international visitors, especially from Japan. Many famous foreign celebrities have also come to pray here, such as Japanese enka diva Kobayashi Yuko and Hollywood actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who specifically visited to pray for love. Kobayashi Yuko reportedly got good news about her love life less than a year after her visit!

▲ Xiahai City God Temple has facilitated many successful matches. (Photo/File)

Prayer Route: Purchase joss paper, incense, and offerings: lead coins, red threads, and wedding candy (these can be left at the counter) — Incense Lighting Area (light three sticks of incense) — Heaven God’s Incense Burner (brief self-introduction) — Main Hall (brief self-introduction, state your birth date, address, and ideal partner type) — Hall of the Righteous Hero (pray to ward off bad influences and ensure career success) — Side Hall of the City God’s Wife (pray for family happiness) — Bodhisattva (pray for peace of mind and wisdom) — Return to Heaven God’s Incense Burner to insert incense (three sticks) — Eat wedding candy and drink peace tea — Leave the wedding candy as an offering, take the lead coins and threads to the Heaven God’s Incense Burner to pass through the fire — Leave the joss paper with the temple. ReferenceInstructions

Notes:
．You only need to draw lots for divination at the Main Hall for the City God; no need for the Matchmaker.
．You may pray on behalf of family members, but not for friends.
．Those who have already received a red thread do not need to prepare offerings for a second visit. ReferenceInstructions