Guandu Temple

Guandu Temple is about a 15-minute walk from the Guandu MRT Station. The temple, first built in 1661, is dedicated to Matzu, Goddess of the Sea. Beside the temple is a kind of Buddhist chapel dedicated to the Buddhist goddess of mercy, Guanyin of Thousand Arms and Eyes.

Founded in 1661, Guandu Temple is the oldest temple dedicated to Matzu in northern Taiwan. Its original name was "Ling-shan (Mt. Ling) Temple", since it is located atop Mt. Ling.

According to legend, in 1895 three old banyan trees standing at the temple's entrance died suddenly during the same night. Local residents believed that this might have been a message from Matzu warning of impending disaster -- and sure enough, the area was soon occupied by the Japanese.

Guandu Temple is filled with exquisitely carved dragon pillars, stone lions, and wall sculptures. Even the door gods are in the form of relief carvings, in contrast to the usual paintings. The rafters and beams are also beautifully carved and painted. On the main altar sits an image of Matzu, the benign expression on her face in sharp contrast to the fierce visages of the guardians who flank her, Eyes that See a Thousand Miles and Ears that Hear on the Wind.

To the right of Guandu Temple is an 80-eter Buddha cave, at the entrance of which is a symbolic mortar that is supposedly able to suppress all evils. The sides of the cave are lined by 28 devas, and at the rear is a thousand-armed, thousand-eyed Guanyin, or Goddess of Mercy. To the rear of Guanyin is the cave's exit and a fine river view.

Outside the Guandu Temple, there are stalls selling products such as spirit money used in religious observances, as well as snack foods and souvenirs. The hillside above the temple provides excellent views of the Danshui River and the mangrove swamps. The dike that stretches from Guandu in both directions toward Taipei and Danshuei is an ideal place to take a stroll or enjoy the scenic beauty afforded by the wide expanse of the river.

The Guandu Temple is located in Taipei City's Beitou District. Visitors can take the Danshui Line of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network and get off at Guandu Station.