Tamsui Longshan Temple

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Updates : 2022-12-21

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One of the five remaining Longshan temples in Taiwan
Tamsui’s four hidden temples, hidden in the market
Built in the style of Quanzhou temples with exquisite carvings
Featuring a plaque gifted by the Guangxu Emperor to thank the gods

Introduction

Located in an alley of Tamsui Old Street and hidden in the Tamsui market, Tamsui Longshan Temple is one of Taiwan’s five major Longshan temples. It was built in 1858 in dedication to Bodhisattva Guanyin. The rectangular temple initially possessed a wide courtyard in the front and a garden in the back, and was not only one of Tamsui’s religious centers, but also served as a local governance and defense center. Together with Qingshui Temple, Yinshan Temple and Fuyou Temple, they are known as the “Four great temples of Tamsui.”

A religious center for immigrants from Sanyi, Quanzhou
Longshan Temple is the religious center for the people of Sanyi, Quanzhou. Since the Qing Dynasty, the Sanyi people formed the majority of the Han Chinese who crossed the sea to settle in Taiwan and start up their businesses, and brought with them the religion and architecture of their hometown, greatly influencing Taiwanese culture. The Tamsui Longshan Temple was inspired by the Quanzhou Longshan Temple, and became an important center in Tamsui for the Sanyi people to meet. The temple’s main hall is dedicated to Bodhisattva Guanyin and features delicate and exquisite carvings. The temple’s front is made of stone from Mount Guanyin, and during renovations, efforts were made to restore the style of the era in which it was originally built. This care and dedication made the traditional temple all the more precious.

Ci Hang Pu Du (kind-hearted and compassionate)
Tamsui Longshan Temple has preserved many stone monuments, plaques, pillars and other artifacts, and the famous Ci Hang Pu Du plaque hanging in the temple is a must see. In 1884, during the Sino-French War, Tamsui briefly became the battleground for an engagement between the two armies, and it is said that the Bodhisattva Guanyin appeared of Tamsui Longshan Temple appeared and protected the residents of Tamsui from the dangers of the war. In 1886, Liu Ming-chuan, the then governor of Taiwan, requested the Guangxu Emperor to grant a plaque reading “Ci Hang Pu Du” (慈航普度), meaning kind-hearted and compassionate, to thank the Bodhisattva Guanyin for her protection of Tamsui.

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Clover Landscape Slide

Clover Landscape Slide, located inside the New Taipei Metropolitan Park, is a state-of-the-art inclusive playground that just began its operation in April 2018. It had attracted large crowds of people to play here right after it was opened; even the famous travel show Super Taste was also shot here. The riverbank levee that had been simply decorated with color paintings have been now cleverly designed using the height differential to naturally create a recreation space. On the slope of the levee there is an exceedingly eye-catching 7m-tall circular arc shaped slide installed. There are also terrazzo slide, climb net, climbing holds, three-dimensional swerve balls, and other inclusive playground equipment, offering all children a fabulous play time. Please kindly note that the 7m slide has a minimum height requirement of 100cm.

Longdong Bay Cape Trail

Longdong Bay Cape Trail connects the North and the East Capes with a history of 35 million years for the terrain here. When walking on the trail, one will be surrounded by lush green mountains on one side and azure ocean and sky on the other side. It is hard not to be astonished by such magnificent scenery and thus it is no wonder why it is one of the recommended trails in New Taipei City. The road is gentle along the way, and is suitable for people of all age groups to hike here and admire the magnificent ocean views with the cliffs. The scenery when looking down from the observation platform is astonishing. One can also see many people snorkeling or fishing at Longdong (Dragon Cave), hence, it is a worthy place to visit when coming to the Northeast Coast.