Songshan Ciyou Temple
Main Deities
About
Finish praying to Mazu, turn around, and you're in one of Taiwan's liveliest night markets — this is Songshan Ciyou Temple, known as the 'Songshan Mazu Temple,' standing beside the Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei's Songshan District and the most classic model of Taiwan's 'temple-gate' culture. The six-story temple gleams with gold, and the twin dragons chasing a pearl in cut-porcelain (jiannian) work along its roof are dazzlingly fine, more brilliant still when lit at night. It is dedicated to the compassionate and efficacious Black-Faced Mazu, with the Birth-Registration Goddess and Tiger General enshrined alongside. Light your incense, make your wish, then step straight into the Raohe night market next door for a full round of food — one trip that takes in both everyday Taiwanese life and folk faith at once.
History
In 1753, during the Qianlong reign, a mendicant monk named Lin Shou-yi raised funds far and wide to build Ciyou Temple. Songshan was then still called 'Xikou,' an important transshipment port on the Keelung River, and this temple was the shared spiritual center for the residents of thirteen surrounding villages. Under Japanese rule Ciyou Temple underwent a major renovation that added much fine stone and wood carving; after World War II it was rebuilt several more times, its layout growing ever grander. From river-trade hub to railway station town to today's modern commercial district, Xikou changed many times over, and Ciyou Temple witnessed it all. To this day, the 'Ciyou Temple gate' remains the most familiar landmark in the daily life of Songshan's people.
Songshan Ciyou Temple
Songshan District, Taipei City
Visitor Info
Address
No. 761, Bade Rd. Sec. 4, Songshan District, Taipei City
Region
Songshan District, Taipei City