Cover A guide to Taiwan’s most notable temples and pagodas, from centuries-old city shrines to tranquil towers above misty hills. (Photo: Dukas / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
A guide to Taiwan’s most notable temples and pagodas, from centuries-old city shrines to tranquil towers above misty hills. (Photo: Dukas / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
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Taiwan’s temples and pagodas reveal layers of history, blending diverse traditions in both city and countryside
Taiwan’s religious sites are embedded in both its cities and its countryside, offering a measured counterpoint to the island’s energy. Incense smoke drifts from carved doorways, stone lions guard temple gates and centuries-old rituals unfold alongside daily commerce. These places reflect the island’s layered history of Chinese, Japanese and indigenous influences. From hilltop shrines to lakeside towers, Taiwan’s temples and pagodas are as much community landmarks as they are architectural ones, showing how worship spaces have adapted across time without losing their role in everyday life.
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1. Longshan Temple, Taipei
In Taipei’s Wanhua District, Longshan Temple dates to 1738 and remains one of the city’s busiest temples. It honours a mix of Buddhist, Taoist and folk deities, with a roofline alive with dragons and stone columns etched with scenes from myth. The temple has survived earthquakes and wartime bombing, and it continues to serve as a focal point for neighbourhood rituals.
2. Baoan Temple, Taipei
Baoan Temple sits in Datong District and is known for its finely preserved Qing dynasty features. Built in the early 19th century, it is dedicated to the medicine god Baosheng Dadi. Among Taipei’s historic temples, this one stands out for the carved stone reliefs of animals and folklore figures on its walls, while the courtyard often hosts traditional performances during religious festivals.
3. Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Kaohsiung
In southern Taiwan, Fo Guang Shan is among the island’s largest Buddhist monasteries. Founded in 1967, it spans shrines, meditation halls and a towering bronze Buddha flanked by symmetrical pagodas. The site also houses a museum dedicated to Buddhist culture. Despite its scale, it maintains a sense of stillness across its wide courtyards.
4. Wenwu Temple, Sun Moon Lake
Overlooking Sun Moon Lake, Wenwu Temple was built in 1938 and combines northern Chinese palace-style architecture with views across the water. It is dedicated to Confucius and the warrior gods Guan Gong and Yue Fei. A stairway lined with carved stone railings leads to its main halls, which contain elaborate woodwork and brightly painted beams.
5. Chenghuang Temple, Hsinchu
Hsinchu’s Chenghuang Temple dates to 1747 and honours the city god, a guardian of civic affairs. It stands in the old town centre, surrounded by markets and food stalls, and is noted for its densely layered carvings of phoenixes, dragons and cloud motifs. The temple’s narrow courtyards remain busy during local processions and seasonal celebrations.
6. Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, Kaohsiung
On the edge of Kaohsiung’s Lotus Pond, the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas were built in 1976 as part of the nearby Ciji Temple complex. The two seven-storey towers are linked to the shore by zigzag bridges, with entrances shaped like a dragon’s mouth and a tiger’s jaws. Visitors enter through the dragon and exit through the tiger, symbolising the passage from misfortune to good luck. Murals inside show Buddhist and Taoist scenes, and the upper floors offer views over the lake and its cluster of smaller temples.
7. Ci En Pagoda, Sun Moon Lake
Built in 1971 by Chiang Kai-shek in memory of his mother, Ci En Pagoda rises above the forested hills near Sun Moon Lake. The nine-storey tower stands 46 metres tall and is reached via an uphill trail. From the top, visitors see the lake’s shifting colours and the surrounding Central Mountain Range. Its red-and-gold structure draws on Tang dynasty design, and its bell is rung three times for good fortune.
Temples and pagodas in Taiwan remain active places of worship, and visitors are welcome to observe quietly. Modest dress is expected, and photography should be discreet, especially during ceremonies. While many sites are within city centres, some require short hikes or boat rides, so planning ahead helps. Whether in a dense market quarter or on a mist-covered ridge, these landmarks show how religious life continues to shape the island’s cultural landscape.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
