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Visiting temples as a family during the New Year is an important tradition. It helps remove misfortune, welcome wealth, and most importantly, pray for health and smoothness in the coming year.
Although many people in Taiwan today may not fully remember all the traditional customs and taboos of the Spring Festival, visiting temples remains an important part of the celebration. This issue brings you a list of the most popular temples to visit in Taiwan during the New Year — feel free to check them out.
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Xingtian Temple, also known as the Temple of the Lord of Mercy (also translated as the Savior God), is dedicated primarily to Guan Yu, the God of War. The temple is always bustling with worshippers. Many people come here to seek guidance from Guan Yu regarding work and career issues, making it one of the ideal temples to visit during the Spring Festival.
In recent years, Xingtian Temple has started promoting environmental protection by encouraging worshippers to offer moral respect with clasped hands instead of incense sticks. These are symbolic “moral incense” based on the Five Cardinal Relationships and Eight Virtues. The temple also prohibits offerings of animal sacrifices and burning of joss paper. It’s also one of my regular spots for prayer — I used to visit regularly and draw divination sticks when preparing for graduate school exams.
Phone: (02)2502-7924
Hours: 04:00 – 22:30
Address: No. 109, Section 2, Minquan E. Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
(Source: Wikipedia)
Mengjia Longshan Temple is a second-class historic site in Taiwan, with a history of 262 years. The main hall enshrines Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, while the rear hall houses deities such as Mazu, Wenchang Dijun, and the Water Deity. It is one of the most popular temples in Taipei and definitely a great choice for New Year prayers.
Notably, Longshan Temple’s Matchmaker God (Yu Lao) is especially famous. Many Japanese tourists specifically visit to pray for good relationships and love. Singles, don’t miss this spot.
Phone: (02)2302-5162
Hours: 05:00 – 22:00
Address: No. 211, Guangzhou St., Wanhua District, Taipei City
(Source: Wikipedia)
Located in the mountainous area of Nanshi Corner, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, is the famous Nanshan Fude Temple in Hongluo Di. With a history of 260 years, it is dedicated to the God of Earth (Fude Zhengshen). The towering and massive statue of the God of Earth is the most iconic feature of the temple and is visible from afar.
During the New Year, the temple attracts crowds of worshippers and is one of the most popular and spiritually active temples. Additionally, due to its elevated location, it’s also a fantastic spot for night views.
Phone: (02)2942-5277
Hours: As announced by the temple
Address: No. 160-1, Lane 399, Section 2, Xingnan Rd., Zhonghe District, New Taipei City
(Source: Wikipedia)
The Dajia Mazu Temple in Taichung, commonly referred to as Dajia Mazu Temple or Dajia Mazu Shrine, is dedicated to Mazu and has a long history of 285 years. It is one of the most well-known temples. Its most famous event is the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage, historically meant to protect fishermen on their voyages, but now it serves as a major religious center in Central Taiwan. The temple is always crowded with worshippers, making it one of the must-visit temples during the Spring Festival.
Phone: (04)2676-3522
Hours: As regulated by the temple
Address: No. 158, Shuntian Rd., Dajia District, Taichung City
(Source: Wikipedia)
The Lukang Tianhou Temple in Changhua is also a very famous temple. It is the only temple in Taiwan that enshrines the sacred statue of Mazu from Meizhou Ancestral Temple. It sees a continuous stream of pilgrims and has a large and devout following. The peak pilgrimage season runs from January to March of the lunar calendar, during which time the temple is packed with visitors.
Although the temple walls and door gods here are somewhat faded, it is already a National Third-Class Historic Site Up!During the Spring Festival, why not come here to pray for peace too!
Phone: (04)7779-899
Hours: 06:00–22:00
Address: No. 430, Zhongshan Road, Lukang Town, Changhua County
(source by Wikipedia)
Nankunshen Daitian Temple is a must-visit temple where I used to go pray with relatives during Chinese New Year as a kid. It consists of two temples: the main Daitian Temple, which enshrines the Five Kings (King Li, King Chi, King Wu, King Zhu, and King Fan), and the smaller Wanshan Hall, which worships the God Wanshan. It is the largest and oldest King Temple in Taiwan and is now a Second-Class Historic Site. Besides the bustling crowds during the Spring Festival, there is also the annual King’s Festival in the fourth lunar month, which is extremely lively!
Opening hours: 06:00–21:00
Transportation: Take the Sun Yat-sen Freeway (National Highway 1) → Xinrong Interchange → pass through Yanshui → Provincial Highway 19 → Yizhu → County Highway 172 → Hailiao → Provincial Highway 17 → Nankunshen
(source by Wikipedia)
Kaohsiung’s Zizhu Temple has a history of about 300 years and has undergone five major renovations. The temple complex is grand in scale, and holds three major festivals each year, always attracting large crowds of worshippers. The temple places special emphasis on performance-based ceremonial troupes, entertaining both deities and visitors, creating a joyous carnival-like atmosphere. As the spiritual center of Neimen District in Kaohsiung, it is naturally one of the essential temples to visit for prayers during the southern Taiwan New Year celebrations.
Phone: (07)6671-602
Hours: 05:00–22:00
Address: No. 18, Lane 115, Zhongzheng Road, Guanyinting Village, Neimen District, Kaohsiung City
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(source by FB)
The New Year is approaching, and many of you are probably starting to plan your family holiday schedules. Why not visit a temple to pray for safety and blessings, wishing for good health, academic success, and smooth work in the new year? The editor also wishes everyone a Happy New Year!
[FunTime Travel Recommendations] Authorized reprint | Original source [Pray for Blessings During the New Year’s Visit to Temples – Pray Well and Prosper Throughout the Year Across Taiwan!]