DALONGDONG BAOAN TEMPLE

Just a stone's throw from the place of worship dedicated to Confucius, this magnificent temple stands in stark contrast to its neighbor, with its richly ornate facade and interior. It is dedicated to Baosheng Tati, the god of medicine, brought by immigrants from Fujian province in the 18th century, but the structure of the current building dates back to 1804. As many Taiwanese are originally from Fujian, the temple is particularly popular. It's a place where people come to pray and burn incense. A spiritual atmosphere reigns here, giving an insight into Taiwan's religious thinking. Surrounding the central shrine, a surrounding wall houses small niches displaying statues of various deities. The idea is to pray to each of them to attract good fortune, before ending up in front of the main statues in the center of the temple. A variety of offerings are then deposited here.

In 2003, the temple's stewards received an award from UNESCO for their restoration efforts to preserve this magnificent example of Taiwan's cultural heritage. Which is another way of saying that, if Taiwan were part of Unesco, Bao An Temple would undoubtedly be a World Heritage Site. Don't forget to stop off in the garden across the street, with its pond home to many koi, the Chinese carp. The temple also hosts festivals, traditional performances and ceremonies, making each visit unique.