Taipei the capital of Taiwan
Taiwan is one of my interesting country-great of people, culture, delicious food and place to visit.
That’s right, this is my first time visiting Taipei, Taiwan. Taiwan, officially Republic of China, is an island country in East Asia which is located between Hong Kong, China and Okinawa, Japan. Taiwan has total area approximately 36,000 square kilometres with over 23 million of population. Taipei is a capital city.
New Taiwan Dollar (NT$ or TWD) is Taiwanese currency. Taiwanese people contact each other by mandarin (Chinese), Halo (Taiwanese), Hakka, and Austronesian language. Most people believe of Buddhists, some people believe in Taoism, I-Kuan tao, Chinese folk religions, Christianity, and Islam.
My mission was beginning, I took an airplane around half an hour from Fukuoka Airport to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. I arrived the destination around 12.30 p.m. After I’ve cleared the immigration, and I received my belonging at the airport already – I headed to take a bus from the airport to the hotel. I arrived at the hotel before check-in time. The check-in time starting at 2 p.m. In the mean time, I’ve looked around and looked for some drink.
I was going to Yue Lao Taipei Xia-Hai city God Temple. It was my first destination for first day trip.
Taking a train in Taipei
Shandao temple Station to Beimen Station
I was traveling to Xia-Hai temple by train. On the train, I met about 20 people. All of them were pretty calm, some of them paid attention with their activity-but without any disturbing to other people. Nobody talked. I thought they probably were respectful each other in the public place. This is a good manners, I should act like this to other people, especially when I go to the place that there is not only me.
On the way to temple, I found many building were built in old style. One of these buildings was similar to European style. This building characterized by red brick. I am pretty sure this building were built many years ago. It probably built as a commercial building-but just few are currently being used.
Another side of commercial building that has a unique design. As we see on the top, the design was characterized by golden sculpture, and used red brick as a building pillar. On 1st floor, there was a shop which sells something like wine. Many motorcycles and some car were parking in front of the building. I think these vehicles probably were the customer’s vehicles who support the shop around there.
I walked for a while, and I saw a building that looked like a loft-style. On the top of the building, there was a sculpture of legendary dragon and lion. I thought this might be a symbol of Taiwanese belief. Not only me that interested in this building but also other tourism.
I did not see many of tall building in Taipei. But I could see many big and strong building with big pillars around Taipei. The commercial buildings were adjacent to both sides of the street. Sometimes, the restriction of an area can be a factor of human behaviors.
Opposite the building, there was a sidewalk which widely enough for pedestrian. You can use it.
It was amazing the poster that I have ever seen. I though that this poster were telling us about Taiwanese culture or Taiwanese people lifestyle. As we saw the people were spending their time with their activities like shopping with their family, reading newspaper, meeting with their friends or making a wish at shrine or temple. However, this is a part of culture that we could see in Taipei.
In my opinion, this poster was demonstrating the harmony of Taiwanese culture and lifestyle that they have been spending a peaceful life at this time.
If you see this poster, you are going to arrive Xia-Hai temple soon.
My destination
Taipei Xia Hai City God Temple
” IF YOU BELEIVE ,YOUR WISH WILL BECOME TRUE”
Taipei Xia Hai City God Temple is a famous and popular temple in Taiwan which has a fascinating history. The temple was built in 1859, it is an unique structure. Its original structure has not changed since it was built to house the Xia Hai City God.
The original hometown of Xia Hai City God was in Fujian Province, China. In 1821, he was brought to Taiwan. Monga city was his first home in Taiwan.
Taiwanese people pay their respects to the City God temple and hold the annual “City God Birthday Cerebration” for him on May 13th.
We can have the fortune pocket, which has symbol of Yue Lao displaying outside, inside of pocket was contained a small card from the temple and it is decorated by red strings. To be owner, we will need to pay a little money to temple. We can also keep it in our personal wallet or bag at all times.
When we have chance to come back in the future, we should also bring it with us to be used in prayers to Yue Lao
Tips: We can use it other temples which be enshrined of Yue Lao.
I’ve made a wish to Yue Lao (God of Marriage) for the first time. I would need to bring some money – NT$50 in order to make merits.
After that, I got a packet of “God money” and incense, I just put God money on the table will be prepared by temple’s staff. There were few staffs will support us the official prayer procedure.
By following the environmental issue, the God money will be taken outside the city for burning. The purpose of burning was for an offering to the Gods. In the past years, to be burn of God money would be done immediately.
Old man under the moon, Yue Lao is also referred to as the “love God” or “Matching-making God”. Yue Lao is not original inhabitant of the Xia Hai City God temple. He was enshrined in the temple in 1971 by local resident who succeeded in his blessing and wished to thank the city God.
I was in front of many Gods in the main hall, and this was a good chance for making a wishes. I’ve stayed calm when I’ve entered to the room. The space will be opened for me, when other people have been completed their wishes.
I have stood at the center of the counter in front of Gods with my burning incense.
At first, I just introduced my personal information to Yue Lao, for instance full name, address, date of birth.
After that, I expressed my wishes to Yue Loa. You also can express to him the characteristics or qualification of someone that you are looking for in a mate. The name and date of birth of specific person is perfectly fine.
Most people list of personality traits, physical characteristics, and some people write down a list in advance so they can remember anything.
After complete praying in the main hall, I came back incense burner at the entrance of the temple courtyard. I introduced my name, age and address again and ask the sky God to bless me. Of course, I did not forget to say thank you with bow.
After finished my wishes, I brought my three incense sticks put in the incense burner.
The end of blessing
This was the last step of blessing, feel free to help yourself to a cup of blessed tea at the table outside. The ingredients of the blessed tea consisted of red dates, Chinese wolfberries, roselle flowers, daisies, cassia seeds, prunes and the sacred sugar which had been offered to the matchmaker.
If you become engaged after praying to Yue Lao, you will be expected to return with wedding cookies to express thanks.
I was going to another famous temple in Taipei
I was looking for train station from Xai-Hai Station to Longshan Temple. On the way, I was excited to see Taiwanese’s old building in Taipei city. I’ ve noticed that this building was built as a house and used first floor of house as a selling shop. Only few new building in this area-but it might be possible many new building will be increase in this area in the future.
Another famous temple in Taipei
Longshan Temple
This is also my interesting place, Longshan Temple has long been known as one of famous, largest and oldest temple in Taiwan. The temple was built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian as a gathering place for Chinese settlers. Wanhua District (Taiwanese Hokkien, historically as “Monga” or “Monka”) is a location of Longshan Temple.
By historically, Longshan Temple was destroy by earthquakes and wars. But Taiwanese people have continuously rebuilt or renovated it. The temple was rebuilt during Japanese role.
The temple has ever damaged from world war II. After the end of world war II, the temple was renovated by Taiwanese residents.
It was raining, when I arrived the temple. At 07.08 p.m. the people were still praying to the God inside the temple. although it was raining, they still carried on. Before going back to my accomodation, I had been praying and looking around the temple for 20 minutes.
The temple was really nice, I wish I can visit this temple again – But at day time would be better.
I am really impressed to visit Taipei this time. I have seen many thing like people’s house, nice temple and nice city. I feel Taipei has a unique culture and is a quite peace city.
I have really enjoyed for telling about my experience in Taipei, I hope you will like it.