Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Architectural Features
The basic characteristic of any temple hall or building is a raised platform that forms the
base for a wood post-and-beam frame. This frame is held together by interlocking pieces
(no nails or glue are used) and supports a curved gabled roof with overhanging eaves.
Think of any pagoda you have seen as a ready example.
The layout of most temple complexes follow a similar and comprehensible pattern of
alternating halls (Front, Main, Rear) and courtyards, usually arranged on a north-south
axis. Corridors or wings often flank the east and west sides, and sometimes the whole
complex is surrounded by a wall, or fronted by a large gate called a
pailou
. Exploring the
variations of this theme is one of the pleasures of visiting multiple Taiwanese temples.
TEMPLE STYLES
South vs North
Traditional Taiwanese temples are constructed in a southern style (sometimes
called Minnan). What does this mean? Well, during the Ming and Qing dynasties,
architecture in China moved away from the aesthetic principles of the Song dyn-
asty (a high period of art) towards a stiff, formal and grandiose expressiveness
best exemplified by Beijing's Forbidden City.
In more remote regions (such as Fujian), however, Song principles of beauty,
playfulness, ornamentation and experimentation persisted. As all early Taiwanese
emigrated from the south, they naturally constructed their temples in the style
they knew. So don't rush through your next temple visit. It's heir to a thousand-
year-old high tradition now found only here and a few scattered Chinese com-
munities in Southeast Asia.
Buddhist vs Taoist vs Confucius
One of the easiest ways to distinguish between temples is to look at the actual
name. A Buddhist temple will almost always end with the character(sì),while a
Taoist temple will end with the character(gōng)or(miào). A Confucian temple is
always called a Kǒng Miào.
The general architectural features (such as a raised structure with a post-and-
beam frame) will be the same for all three types, though modern temples can in-
corporate foreign influences such as the mosque-meets-rocket-ship design of the
Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Puli. Older Buddhist temples such as the various
Longshan Temples are harder to distinguish from Taoist, but modern Buddhist
temples are usually built in a northern Chinese 'palace style' and have fewer im-
ages and less elaborate decorations.
