Ching Shui Temple

Location: No. 1號長褔街 Sanxia District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 237

Hours:

 7 days a week from 4:00am-10:00pm

Phone:+886 2 2671 1031

The full name of the temple is Ching Shui Yen Tsu Shih Temple and it is located in the Wanhua district of Taipei. The temple was built during the Ching Dynasty (aka Qing Dynasty) in 1787 A.D. It is one of the oldest temples in the area and is special because it doesn’t worship the Buddha or traditional deities but a person. He was a well-respected monk so the people built a temple for him after his death. He is regarded as the guarding deity for An-Hsi immigrants to Taiwan.

There is a legend behind why the deity’s face is black. It is said that one time when he was meditating alone in the mountain, he came under the attack of ten demons. They set him on fire for seven days and nights straight but only his face was burnt because of his strong faith. The demons were impressed and four of them decided to follow him and become his guards.

Other than celebrations on Chinese New Year, there are also celebrations on Ching Shui deity’s birthday on January 6 of the lunar calendar. The ritual performed is called 禮斗 (Dipper Worship). A large pale is filled with rice to signify good harvest, then a fan and a sword is inserted into the rice. They are all items to help build prosperity in the future.

There are some English signs located at this temple for tourists and the employees are learning foreign languages to better educate visitors on the history of Ching Shui temple.