Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
backwater, only to be reborn decades later when modern Taiwanese began to search for a
living connection with the past.
Sights
Longshan Temple
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
(Lóngshān Sì)
Built in the late 18th century, Longshan Temple remains a showcase of
southern Taiwanese temple design. The temple is expansive, covering over 10,000 sq
metres within its gated walls, so give yourself a few hours to take in the grandeur and ad-
mire the minutiae.
Some highlights include the front
mountain gate
, with its elegant
dǒugǒng
(special
bracketing system for Chinese architecture) and sweeping eaves. Before the front of the
Hall of Five Gates you'll find the most famous
carved dragons
in Taiwan: note that the
head of one runs up the column while its twin runs down.
Also check out the hall's window lattice for two fish that curl around each other in the
shape of the
yin and yang symbol.
Inside the hall you'll find one of the most stunning
plafonds
in Taiwan, as well as brackets and beams carved into a veritable smorgasbord
of traditional symbols: there are clouds, dragons, bats, lions, melons, elephants,
phoenixes, fish and more.
The resident deity at Longshan Temple is the Bodhisattva Guanyin. You'll find her
shrine at the back worship hall.
Matsu Temple
TAOIST TEMPLE
(Tiānhòu Gōng)
This holy structure was renovated in 1936, a high period in Taiwan's
temple arts. The woodcarvings are particularly fine in the front hall, and the high plafond
is simply gorgeous.
The Matsu statue in this temple is now called 'the Black-Faced Matsu', as centuries of
incense smoke have discoloured her original complexion.
The area around the Matsu Temple is pedestrian-only and great crowds gather here on
weekends, though the atmosphere feels festive and not touristy. Vendors and the sur-
rounding stores sell a variety of traditional snacks, sweets and drinks.
Folk Arts Museum
MUSEUM
