Welcome to Taiwan’s old capital city! Tainan is the place to go if you want to experience the classical side of Formosa. It’s a living museum where every alley can show you a slice of history. Established in the 17th century, it was the capital of Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty. To this day, the […]
Temple
Temples in Taipei, Taiwan
The Chinese temples in Taipei are among the finest in the world, so it’s no surprise that they are very popular attractions with travelers who visit Taiwan’s capital. There are dozens of temples in Taipei, but I won’t list all of them here, because I doubt you’ll have the time or the energy to pack […]
Taipei Travel: The Temples
This is where you’ll find the capital’s heartbeat! Let me be your Taipei travel guide – I’ll take you on a tour of the best religious sites in and around the capital. The city is packed with colorful temples and monasteries that are filled with the smell of incense and the sound of worshipers who recite […]
The Penghu Islands in the Taiwan Strait
Facts About Penghu in Taiwan Ninety little islands make up the Penghu archipelago, off the Western coast of mainland Taiwan, longitudinally wedged between Taichung and Tainan. The island group may also be referred to as The Pescadores Islands of Taiwan, the name given to it by Portuguese explorers. Unlike the Taiwanese mainland, Penghu’s geography has lent itself […]
Lugang, Taiwan Travel Guide
Old China in Modern Taiwan Lugang 鹿港 – also spelled Lukang – is where you want to go if you’re interested in ancient Chinese traditions and old Taiwanese culture. In Chinese, it is written 鹿港. Quick facts about Lugang: It’s one of Taiwan’s oldest towns, Lukang means “Deer Harbor”, it was central Taiwan’s most populous city until the 20th […]
Visit Longshan Temple in Taipei City, Taiwan
Longshan Temple (龍山寺 lóng shān sì) must be on your list of places to visit in Taipei. If you don’t, it’s like visiting Paris and missing the Eiffel Tower. Visiting Longshan Temple is a great way to feel like you are removed from the city life throughout the rest of Taipei. I have visited more […]
Foguangshan 佛光山
Foguangshan 佛光山 is by far Taiwan’s most beautiful Buddhist monastery. It’s also the island’s largest and wealthiest meditation centre. This immense complex is located on a hill in southern Taiwan, just outside Kaohsiung City. It’s also called The Light of Buddha Mountain. Note that you need to be in good shape to visit Foguangshan as […]
Meet The God Of Literature And Visit Taichung’s Oldest Temple
Nantun district seems to be nothing more than a modern neighborhood without much for the visitor. Appearances can be deceptive sometimes… Behind the tall buildings, the trendy shops, and the 7/11s are two of the most rewarding sights in the city. One is a historical relic, the other, a Taiwanese shortcut for passing exams. Wenchang Temple, […]
Confucius Temple in Taipei, Taiwan
The Taipei Confucius Temple was built by the Qing Dynasty in 1879, to be a place of education and to teach the tenets of Confucianism. If you get a chance to be in Taipei around fall, head to the temple on September 28, the traditional birthday of Confucius. Seeing a birthday celebrated in solemn dance for […]
Taichung Confucius Temple
If you happen to be in the old part of town while you visit 台中 (tai zhong), make sure to make a little detour to check out one of the city’s best attractions: the beautiful and photogenic Taichung Confucius Temple! Note that the Martyr’s Shrine is right next door. It commemorates 72 Chinese who lost their heads […]
Baoan Temple in Taipei
One of the most-overlooked and least-visited temples in Taipei, Baoan is a great stop for the temple enthusiast. Baoan Temple has very large murals all around the complex that depict ancient Chinese scenes, dragons, and gods. Photographers will be delighted here! Baoan Temple is situated in the Qing Dynasty-heavy Datong district, next to the more […]
Baguashan Great Buddha Statue and Temple
Baguashan in Changhua is home to one of the tallest Buddha statues (22m-high) in Taiwan and in the world. Mt. Bagua also has a large temple complex just behind it, as well as some nice parks where you can stroll around. Walking on Mt. Bagua There’s a couple of interesting walking paths and farmer’s roads […]