Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
and Sun Moon Lake (NT$52, 30 minutes).
at Taomi Keng, from where it's a five-minute walk to the Paper Dome.
You'll need a taxi to get around Puli.
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Chung Tai Chan Temple
quirkiest buildings in Taiwan (think tiled mosque meets rocket ship) - it's a global centre
of Buddhist academic research, culture and the arts. Opened in 2001, it represents an in-
ternational branch of Buddhism founded by the Venerable Master Wei Chueh, the master
who is said to have revived the Chan (Zen) tradition in Taiwan.
The temple was designed by Taipei 101 architect CY Lee, who embraced, rather than
shunned, modern technology in its design, which is why it has won numerous awards for
its lighting and design. From the entrance doors with their giant wooden guardians to the
18 delightful Lohan reliefs, only highly skilled artists (both Taiwanese and foreign) were
employed, and top-quality materials used, for the temple's construction. A highlight is
the seven-storey indoor pagoda, built without any metal nails or screws.
Several resident nuns speak good English, and it is their responsibility to give guided
tours to any and all visitors. Reservations must be made three days in advance.
There are also weekly meditation classes held in English, and weeklong retreats during
Chinese New Year and summer. Other retreats, lasting three days, are held on an irregu-
lar basis. During retreats, guests stay at the temple.
You can get to the temple in a taxi from Puli (NT$300). If you are driving, head north
on Jungjeng Rd out of Puli and then follow the signs. The temple is about 6km away.
NT$100; 9.30am-5.30pm)
, adjacent to the main temple building - a fabulous showcase
of Buddhist artefacts that date from as early as AD 386. If you're wondering why one
Buddha has a medicine ball in his hand while another is holding a lotus, you can find the
answers on the touchscreen panels in the exhibits. These tools will also help you under-
stand the history of Buddhism and its statues, motifs and iconography, as well as the 22
physical markings of the Buddha.
