DISCOVER LONGSHAN TEMPLE IN TAIPEI [FULL GUIDE]

WHY VISIT LONGSHAN TEMPLE IN TAIPEI?

In our recent trip to Taipei, we visited Longshan Temple, one of Taipei’s most revered and beautiful temples.

This remarkable site, located in the bustling Wanhua District, is not just a place of worship but a vibrant testament to Taiwanese culture and spirituality. It is in fact, one of the best places we visited in Taipei!

We highly recommend visiting the temple at night to discover all of its splendor! In this post, we explain all you need to know about a visit to Longshan Temple in Taipei!

Key Takeaways From a Visit to Longshan Temple in Taipei

– The temple, dating back to 1738, showcases a traditional Taiwanese architectural style with amazing features!
– We strongly recommend visiting the temple at night.
– A visit to the temple takes about 1 hour
– The Entrance is Free
– You can combine your visit with Bopiliao Old Street, and Huaxi Street Night Market.

Watch this video for a glimpse of Longshan Temple:

History of Longshan Temple in Taipei

The Longshan Temple in Taipei has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting the cultural and spiritual heritage of Taiwan. Here’s a brief overview of its historical journey:

Origin (1738): The Temple was originally established in 1738 by settlers from Fujian province in China. They brought with them their religious beliefs and constructed the temple to serve as a place of worship.
Japanese Occupation (1895-1945): During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, The Temple continued to be an important spiritual center. The Japanese authorities allowed religious practices to continue, and the temple remained a symbol of Taiwanese cultural identity.
World War II Damage: The temple suffered significant damage during the American air raids of Taipei in World War II but was rebuilt by local residents, symbolizing their resilience and dedication to preserving their cultural heritage.
Cultural Revolution Impact: The Cultural Revolution in China led to a surge in the temple’s significance as many Chinese cultural relics and practices were being destroyed in the mainland. Taiwan, and places like Longshan Temple, became refuges for preserving Chinese cultural and religious practices.
Tourist Attraction and Cultural Site: In modern times, Longshan Temple has become a popular tourist attraction, known for its historical significance, architectural beauty, and vibrant atmosphere. It continues to play an important role in the religious and cultural life of Taipei.

Guide to Longshan Temple in Taipei

Opening Hours

General Schedule: The Temple is open daily. The opening hours are from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. These hours may vary slightly on special occasions or festivals.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late evening. We recommend going there in the evening when the sun is down! The temple is fully lit up and you can admire all the intricate details!
There are also religious ceremonies or festivals offering a vibrant and colorful experience.

Admission Fee

No Entry Fee: There is no admission fee. You can explore the temple free of charge.

How to Get There

Public Transportation: Taipei’s efficient public transport makes it easy to reach Longshan Temple.

By MRT (Metro): The easiest way is to take the Taipei Metro (MRT). The temple is conveniently located near the Longshan Temple Station on the Blue Line (Bannan Line). After exiting the station, the temple is just a short walk away.
By Bus: Various city bus routes stop near Longshan Temple. Check Google Maps to get the easiest route.

By Taxi/Uber: You can easily hail a taxi to Longshan Temple from anywhere in the city.

> Exact Location of Longshan Temple in Taipei

Join a tour

Check out this selection of great tours to discover Taipei!

Best Things to See at Longshan Temple

1. The Impressive Architecture of Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple’s architecture is a stunning showcase of traditional Taiwanese design, infused with influences from various Chinese dynasties. Each structure within the temple tells a story!

2. The Dragon Pillars: Symbols of Power and Wisdom

Standing tall at the temple’s entrance, the dragon pillars captivated our attention. These majestic sculptures are believed to bring protection and good fortune.

3. The Main Hall at Longshan Temple

The main hall, dedicated to Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, is the heart of Longshan Temple. The hall’s roof has amazing carvings and statues. It’s truly a masterpiece.

4. The Waterfall and Koi Pond

Right at the entrance of the temple, you will see the beautiful waterfall on 1 side and the Koi Pond on the other side.

It’s a nice blend of natural elements with the rest of Longshan Temple!

5. Stroll through Longshan temple

Simply stroll through the temple or sit down in a quiet corner and appreciate this architectural marvel right in front of you! We really loved our visit of Longshan despite being very tired from a long day walking through different parts of Taipei.

Other things to see nearby

1. Bopiliao Old Street

Just a few minutes walk from Longshan Temple, we recommend visiting Bopiliao Old Street.

Walking through Bopiliao Old Street felt like a journey back in time to the Qing Dynasty era, with its red brick walls, arched arcades, lanterns, and intricately carved windows.

> Read: Full guide to Bopiliao Old Street in Taipei

2. Huaxi Street Night Market

If you are hungry after your visit of the Temple, head to Huaxi Street Night Market pretty much across the street. As you know at night Taipei is filled with lively Night Markets all around the city.

We stopped there for dinner, eating plenty of street food! 1 stall we loved was the scallion pancakes! Super yummy!

> The exact Location of Huaxi Street Night Market
> Read: Complete Guide to Huaxi Street Night Market

3. Herb Lane

Another cool thing to do nearby is to stroll down Herb Lane in Taipei.

This unique street is lined with shops offering an array of herbal products, from dried plants to medicinal teas. Each store was a treasure trove of knowledge, with shopkeepers eager to share the uses and benefits of various herbs.

> The exact Location of Herb Lane

Our Final Reflections

During our trip throughout Taiwan, this temple was probably the most impressive ones we visited!

The Architecture, the details, the feeling at night, the smell of incent, everything was truly amazing! Longshan Temple was one of the highlights during our visit to Taipei. So we highly recommend it, and it’s 100% worth visiting!

DISCOVER LONGSHAN TEMPLE IN TAIPEI [FULL GUIDE]

History of Longshan Temple in Taipei