Point : Tzinan Temple |
Count:45771 |
There is an old saying that goes, Climb up one more step and prolong your life for 12 more seconds. If that is true, then you should come to Tzinan Temple for a visit and have your life lengthened by 10 hours!
Tzinan in Chinese means compass, and formerly known as Shienkong (heavenly elders) Temple, this ancient temple is devoted to the one of the eight renowned Chinese semi-gods, Li Tong-ping. Legends say that Li, after he became a semi-god, frequented earth in order to help people ; thus he is very well accepted on earth.
Located at the peak of Houshan (Monkey Mountain), it is accessible either from the main road or from the walkways behind the mountain. The walkways are made up of about 1,200 concrete steps fringed by stone pillars on both sides. The top of the pillars can be used to hang oil lamps. They were contributed by worshippers during the Japanese Occupation. A resting shed is located for every 100 steps up the walkways.
From the front, a pair of pillars carved with the dragons, guards the entrance. The compound is fenced by red fencing. Passing the traditional giant drum, is the three-storey high architecture. The ground floor accommodates for overnight lodging. It was said that in the olden times, lost worshippers, under Li Tong-ping's permission, could sleep in this chamber and Li would give them directions in their dreams.
Going behind the temple on the left is a 2-storey shrine. The 1st and 2nd floors are the main chambers, devoted to Sakyamuni. One of the statues were given by a prominent Thai Buddhist leader, and is a national treasure all the way from Thailand. It was patterned after the Indian Buddha's appearance and was skillfully made with 9 types of gold minerals. Obviously, it is the most valuable piece of statue in the entire temple.
Behind the temple on the right, there is a scenic walkway, and at the end you will reach another chamber called Linsio (cloud) Temple. The heavenly soldiers and generals guard the main entrance. Inside the temple are numerous statues of Buddha. It is both tranquil and majestic indeed. Take a walk down the left corridor, you will reach Tzinan Tourist Park for a panoramic view of the surrounding. There are campsites and mountain trails leading to the Confucius Chamber. Here, on the white wall of the temple, there are intricate carving of Confucius, his pupils and a unicorn touring the country. It symbolizes Confucius's spirit, as precious as a unicorn, doctrining as he would wherever he went.
There is an advice that must be told. Legend has it that back in the past, because Li was unsuccessful in winning the love of Hersianku, the only female amongst the eight semi-gods, he was very jealous of loving couples. Therefore, many couples are suggested to not go to this temple together, in feat of their relationship might be broken apart.
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Address: |
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No.115,Shihwanshou Road,Winshan District,Taipei City,Taiwan (R.O.C.) |
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Bitan Hotel
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| No.121, Bitan Rd., Xindian City, Taipei County, Taiwan |
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By bus :
1.Take the express bus no. 1,2 or 3 to the temple.
2.Take the local bus no. 236, 237 and alight at Chengta. Walk along the main road for 50 minutes to the temple. |
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