Taipei, Taiwan: Visiting the Longshan Temple in Wanhua District

Wanhua is the oldest district in Taipei. This is ‘Old Taipei’ and this also means that the oldest buildings and temples in the city are located here. Perhaps one of the good reasons to use Wanhua as a base during a visit in Taipei.

Longshan Temple is the oldest temple in Taiwan, but it is also the most famous, and visited by hundreds of devout worshippers and tourists every single day. The temple was built in 1738 during the Qing Dynasty by pioneer immigrants fom the Fujian province of China. They built this temple patterned after the original one in their hometown, and blessing it with the same name as well.

One can see many lovely detailed artwork and stunning wooden sculptures here. The temple has been lovingly restored many times and the latest one was after the second world war. I have read that Chinese poems and verses are written on the walls. It is too bad that I do not speak and write Chinese to enjoy these. Here in Taipei, they speak Chinese Mandarin.

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Longshan Temple is dedicated to the Guanshiyin Buddha – Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. I have read a bit about Buddhism but understanding all the deities just totally overwhelms me. It is like taking a crash course and suffering from information overload. You really need a degree to learn all this, haha. Similar to Christianity and Islam, there are many branches, sects and denominations in Buddhism (as well as Hinduism). It is almost impossible to know everything in this world. Just when I think I know a lot, I realised I am ignorant. Why am I not surprised?

But one thing for sure that is very clear. Most human beings have a primal need to acknowledge and honour a higher being.

I think I have personally gone past this dogma and the need. However, I probably will find it awkward when someone, a devout believer of a higher being, asks me, “So what do you believe in then?” Awkward not because I do not have the answer, because I do. But awkward for me to see the response on their faces when I say, “Nothing.”

Oh well, why is discussing religion just a lot like opening a can of worms?

But I am always curious about other cultures, how people live and what they think about life in general. It gives me comfort when I am able to take a peek into their lives, see their practices and become a witness of their beliefs. It solidifies my understanding of the world that we are all different, but far too similar one way or another. In the end we all have the same fears and longings. Travel truly widens and enriches our mind and soul, and not just our experiences.

I just realised that a year ago I was with my family in Bintan Island, Indonesia. We were able to visit the biggest temple outside China dedicated to the same goddess, Guanyin: Avalokitesvara Graha Temple in Bintan Island

Well here’s a much lighter subject: Around the temple is a very lively neighbourhood with a busy market called the Huaxi Street (Night) Market where you can try the popular under the tourists snake soup at Snake Alley. I never made it there for the obvious reasons, haha. But maybe it is something for you?

It was quite easy to get here because Longshan Temple has a metro stop nearby with the same name. When you alight from the metro following the Longshan temple direction, you get out to a park. The temple is located just across it.

Here is my Longshan Temple photo gallery:

Cut flowers on small plates for offering are sold outside the temple.

Impressive waterfall fountains in the temple grounds.

Do pay attention to the details of the wood carvings of the temple. They are stunning.

Lots of incense burning and offering of flowers and food to the Buddha.

One thing Buddhism has in common with Christianity: Lighting long-stemmed candles.

I saw a number of men and women reading scripts from a booklet.

Ah, yours truly of course =)

Jiaobei blocks and Kau Cim sticks are part of  the Chinese lottery practice in temples wherein they ask something and is answered by a Yes or No with these sticks and blocks.

Incense burning and offering of wishes on a paper. I have read that this is not really officially a Buddhism practice to burn paper in the temple but many Chinese do this. 

Travel Period: January 2017
Destination: Wanhua District (Taipei), Taiwan

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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)

All pictures were taken by a point and shoot pocket camera or a smartphone.

~~~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~~~

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