This temple, which is notable for its bronze statue of a dog, has an interesting legend associated with it. It is said that sometime during the middle of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 17 merchants and a dog died during a rough crossing from mainland China. The dog, which had tried to save its master, was buried together with the merchants, and their grave became a shrine called Temple of Eighteen Deities. Apart from the dog, another singular practice is associated with the temple. The legend goes that the 17 merchants were fond of smoking, so many worshippers offer cigarettes at the shrine, lighting them and placing them in stands, just as they do with incense.Temple of Eighteen Deities is a popular place of worship and is especially busy at night, when large crowds visit to make offerings of incense and food. [source: Tourism Bureau, Republic of China (Taiwan)]
