Free: All time
Beitou’s Puji Temple is a rare example of Japanese Buddhist temples in Taiwan. It is one of the few surviving Japanese-era temples. Originally named Tiezhen Temple, it was first built in 1905 with donations from railway workers. The temple combines elements of three Japanese religious traditions, that of the Wayo, Daibutsuyo (Great Buddha) and Zen Buddhist style. Today, the Puji Temple is dedicated to the Tangshou Guanyin – the Goddess of Mercy. Local Beitou residents see this temple and the deity as a crucial guardian spirit of the hot springs. Other free sites worth checking out while in Beitou district: Beitou Park, Ketagalan Culture Center, Plum Garden, Beitou Geothermal Valley, Taipei’s first “green” public library, Beitou Quanyuan Park Foot Bath Area and the world-famous Yangmingshan National Park.
Address: No. 112, Wenquan Rd., Beitou District, Taipei
Opening hours: Daily 8am – 5pm
Direction: Subway Danshui Line to Xinbeitou Station; Bus No. 216/217/218/223/266/269 to Xinbeitou MRT Station Stop
Phone: +886 02-2891-4386
Website: www.taipeitravel.net
Photo credit: Ernesto JT (Flickr CC)
