Visit Lukang Longshan Temple, a historic highlight of the town, dating back to the 1600s. It has since been renovated and expanded, featuring excellent woodcarvings and sculptures made of stone.
Arrive outside the front of this spiritual home and admire the curved swallowtail roof pattern atop the temple and ornate decorations at the corners.
Surrounding the temple are nicely pruned plants and colorful flowers, creating a serene spot for meditation. Study the pair of columns made of granite that mark the gate at the entrance of the building. Dragons wrap around the upright pillars. The temple itself has a Fujian architectural style, having been constructed during the Qing Dynasty. As you walk through the temple, marvel at the various works of art. On one side is a theater stage where festivals and old-world plays take place. Be sure to look up to see the spider web pattern of the ceiling of the theater pavilion.
See the porcelain designs of plants, animals and other symbols, and consider how well preserved the temple is, given its age. Back outside, rest in the shade of a tree along the plaza in front of the temple. Arrive late in the afternoon to see the red lanterns hanging above the square beginning to illuminate the area in a traditional glow. Walk all the way to the back to see a small koi pond and cascading waterfall.
Note that this is one of several Longshan temples that were built during the Qing Dynasty. This is the oldest, thought to have been initially constructed in 1647. Today’s structure was built in 1786.
The Lukang Longshan Temple is in the Lukang Township in Changhua County, in the western part of Taiwan. Drive southwest from Taichung City for 22 miles (35 kilometers) to get here in about 45 minutes. You can also travel by bus, which will take roughly 1.5 hours to reach the temple. While in the area, consider stopping at nearby sights such as the Lukang Mazu Temple, the Lukang Folk Arts Museum and Lukang Old Street.
