The 6 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in Shilin, Taipei

When immigrants came to Taipei from Quanzhou in Fujian, China, they brought their patron saint "Kaizhang Sheng Wang." The statue of the god was brought to Taipei about 200 years ago by Huang Chengqing. It is said that when the god was taken to Zhishan, miraculous events occurred. Huiji Temple was built in dedication to the god at Zishanyan in 1752. Later, when Guanyin was worshiped here as well, the temple was also known as Zhishanyan Temple. At the temple is an ink brush stand that is said to confer divine blessing to all who touch it. Many parents bring their children here to touch the stand, hoping it will help them pass their school examinations.

Yuanshan Water Shrine is located directly opposite MRT Jiantan Station and next to the Yangming District Business Office of Taipei Water Department. Following the cement steps, the Yuanshan Water Shrine can be seen next to a reservoir. The original stone lanterns, the stele marking the name of the shrine, the hand cleaning basin and a pair of Guardian Lion-Dogs guarding the shrine are preserved. The shrine was built during the Japanese Colonial Period; its layout is largely intact. It is conveniently located near MRT Jiantan Station. However, because this place is a well-kept secret, the Shrine has few visitors. There is also the Yuanshan Reservoir sitting on higher ground, which is an important water conservancy stage of the Grass Mountain Waterway System. Even though Yuanshan Water Shrine is only a street block away from the Shilin commercial district, it is a very quiet place filled with a primitive, simple, mysterious and yet comfortable ambience.

This temple was built in 1905 on land donated by a railroad company staff. It is one of the very few Japanese style temples in Taiwan. Because the idol in the temple holds an infant, and the camphor tree next to the temple resembles a pregnant woman, it is believed that the idol represents Sung Tz Kuanyin, or the Goddess of Fertility. The main building is almost a perfect square, making it different from