By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
When the weather turns chilly, being single can feel especially lonely. If you’re tired of this feeling and eager to find that special someone, why not visit Taiwan’s ten most efficacious matchmaker temples? Whether you’re hoping to quickly find a good romance or cut off bad relationship karma, you might just find help here.
● Hualien Sheng’an Temple
Sheng’an Temple is the first temple in Hualien to enshrine a matchmaker deity. Since its establishment in 2012, it has helped dozens of couples tie the knot.
Hualien Sheng’an Temple. (Image source / Hualien Sheng’an Temple (Heavenly Queen Mother’s Main Temple))
● Taipei Wanhua Longshan Temple
Wanhua’s Longshan Temple not only showcases Taiwan’s temple artistry, but its bustling incense offerings have also been key to its enduring presence for over two hundred years. The Temple’s Matchmaker Deity is enshrined in the Rear Hall’s Matchmaker Hall, which is highly efficacious. Additionally, there are some special procedures to note when visiting to pray to the Matchmaker: you must start by paying respects to the grand Guanyin Bodhisattva, then proceed to worship Mazu, the God of Literature, the God of War, and other deities, explaining your purpose before finally approaching the Matchmaker.
Wanhua Longshan Temple. (Image provided / Ink Publishing)
● Xiademen City God Temple
Built in the 9th year of the Xianfeng Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1859 AD), Xiademen City God Temple is listed as a municipal third-grade historic site. It enshrines the main deity of the Xiademen City God and serves as a faith center for Dadaocheng residents, making it one of Taipei’s well-known matchmaker temples. Statistics show that Xiademen City God Temple has facilitated nearly 60,000 successful couples in the past decade.
Xiademen City God Temple is the most popular matchmaker temple. (Image provided / Ink Publishing)
● Changhua Lukang Tianhou Temple
When praying for love at Lukang Tianhou Temple, in addition to preparing joss paper, red threads, and lead coins, you should also bring thornless white flowers, five types of wedding candies (no nuts or sour flavors), and thornless, non-acidic fruits. Furthermore, the temple offers a thoughtful online service where singles can apply online, and the temple will convey their wishes to the Matchmaker, register them in the “Book of Love,” and send a love bracelet and fate charm to bless them in finding a good romance soon.
● Sun Moon Lake Dragon and Phoenix Temple
After exiting Maokong and heading toward Sun Moon Lake, about 100 meters away you’ll see the entrance archway of Dragon and Phoenix Temple. It is the largest temple on the western shore of Sun Moon Lake, enshrining the Northern God Xuanwu, the Heavenly Goddess Mazu, and the Penitent Patriarch. The temple gate is uniquely decorated with three-dimensional carved reliefs of dragons and phoenixes—different from typical temple designs. The original Matchmaker deity, once located on Lalu Island, is now situated on the left side in front of the temple. Many unmarried men and women or couples visit Sun Moon Lake and come here to pray to the Matchmaker, wishing for smooth romantic luck and love.
Sun Moon Lake Dragon and Phoenix Temple. (Image provided / Ink Publishing)
● Taichung Lecheng Temple
With a history of over two hundred years, Lecheng Temple is a national third-grade historic site. After enduring the 921 Earthquake, the long-standing temple underwent multiple renovations and has now become an important cultural asset and spiritual hub for the public. Aside from enshrining the Hanxi Mazu, the temple’s second-floor Matchmaker Hall and God of Wealth Hall are particularly popular. While exploring the traditional ambiance of the Hanxi Old Street and visiting Lecheng Temple, don’t forget to seek out a good romance as well.
Taichung Lecheng Temple. (Image provided / Ink Publishing)