Lungshan Temple, Taipei

Known by locals as a "meeting place of the gods," Lungshan Temple serves as one of the oldest and most famous temples in Taiwan. Han settlers from Fujian established the temple in 1738, dedicating it to Kuan-in, the Mother of Mercy, which is represented by a statue in the main hall. This statue was left intact after the main hall was destroyed in an air-raid near the end of World War II. Over the years, the temple suffered damage from cyclones, earthquakes, and fires, but has been restored repeatedly. See numerous Taoist deities in the back hall testifying to the tolerant nature of the Chinese religions. The name of the temple translates to "Dragon Mountain," which explains the colorful dragons on the roof and the intricately carved twirling dragons on the bronze pillars at the entrance. A visit to Lungshan Temple represents just the start of the adventure when you use our Taipei journey planning site to plot your vacation.