Fang Wang
📌 What’s Inside
I’ve been guiding tours through Taipei for nearly a decade. And every single time I step into Longshan Temple, I see tourists making the same mistakes. They arrive at noon, get pushed around by the crowd, can’t figure out how to buy incense, and leave without understanding a thing. That’s a waste.
Let me save you that frustration. Here’s exactly how to visit Longshan Temple like someone who’s been doing it for years — no fluff, just real steps.
Why I Drag Everyone Here Before 9AM
Here is the catch: the temple is free and open 24/7, but for a meaningful experience, you need to come early.
I always tell my clients: “If you arrive after 10 AM, you’ll be sweating inside a human sardine can.” The tour buses start rolling in around 9:30, and by 11 AM, the main hall is shoulder-to-shoulder. The incense smoke gets thick, and you can barely see the statues.
Plus, morning light hits the southern courtyard beautifully. The gold details on the roof glow. By afternoon, the sun is harsh and casts weird shadows — terrible for photos.
Getting There Without Getting Lost
Longshan Temple is in the Wanhua District, the old part of Taipei. Here are the three easiest ways to get there:
| Method | Details | Time / Cost |
|---|---|---|
| MRT (Subway) | Take the Bannan Line (Blue) to Longshan Temple Station. Exit 1. Walk straight for 3 minutes — you’ll see the temple facade. | ~30 min from Taipei Main Station; NT$20-25 one way |
| Bus | Take bus 1, 38, or 231. Get off at “Longshan Temple” stop. Very frequent during peak hours. | NT$15 per ride |
| Taxi | From Ximending area, it’s a 5-minute ride, about NT$100-120. From Taipei 101, about 20 minutes, NT$250-300. | 5-20 min; NT$100-300 |
My tip: Use the MRT. It’s the simplest. Exit 1 drops you literally at the side entrance. And the station has English signs everywhere.
Opening Hours & Ticket Prices
Good news: admission is free. No ticket needed. But you might want to buy incense or a small offering.
| Item | Price (NTD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Incense bundle (3 sticks) | 30-50 | Sold at small stalls inside the temple grounds |
| Fortune sticks (divination) | 20-30 | Available at the main hall counter |
| Donation (optional) | Any amount | Drop in the red box near the entrance |
Temple grounds are open 24 hours. But the main halls close around 10 PM. The best time to visit for a quiet atmosphere is between 6 AM and 9 AM. Also note: some side shrines close for cleaning from 12:00 to 13:30.
What to See & Do Inside (Step by Step)
I usually take groups through this order:
1. Enter from the South Gate (Avoid the main gate!)
Here is a secret: most tourists enter through the massive front gate on Guangzhou Street. It’s crowded and vendors aggressively push incense. Use the smaller side gate on Heping West Road instead. You’ll breeze in.
2. Buy Incense at the Indoor Counter
Don’t buy from street vendors unless you want overpriced stuff. Walk past the main courtyard into the left corridor, where the official temple booth sells incense for 30 NTD. They even give a lighter.
3. Light Incense at the Central Furnace
Light your incense from the communal candle (don’t use your lighter inside the hall — locals consider it rude). Then walk clockwise around the furnace, holding the incense at chest height. Make a wish.
4. Visit the Main Hall (Guanyin) First
The main hall houses the goddess of mercy. Place one incense stick in the burner just outside the hall. Then step inside, kneel on the cushion, and pray. Keep it brief — others are waiting.
5. Explore the Side Shrines
The temple is a complex of multiple deities. I always take people to:
- Moonlight Guanyin (left side) – for love and relationships
- Zhongtan Bodhisattva (right side) – for career and business
- Lunar Guardian (back hall) – for travel safety
Don’t skip the back garden — it’s a small oasis with koi fish. Most tourists never find it.
6. Try Fortune Sticks (Qiu Qian)
Find a bamboo tube filled with sticks near the main hall. Kneel, shake the tube until one stick falls out. Read the number on the stick and get the corresponding fortune paper (the temple staff can help). It’s surprisingly accurate — many of my clients were spooked.
Dress Code & Temple Etiquette
Yes, there’s a dress code, though nobody will scold you. But you’ll get disapproving stares if you show too much skin. I’ve seen tourists in tank tops and shorts — locals look away.
What to wear:
- Cover your shoulders and knees. Light linen is fine in summer.
- Remove your hat when entering any hall.
- No loud laughter or shouting — it’s a place of worship.
- Don’t point your feet at the statues.
- When lighting incense, stand away from other people — the ash burns.
One more thing: photography is allowed, but no flash inside the main hall. And don’t take selfies with the deities as background — it’s considered disrespectful.
Money-Saving Tips for Foreigners
Here’s where most guides won’t tell you:
- Free Wi-Fi: The Taipei Free Wi-Fi hotspot covers the temple grounds. You can connect without a SIM.
- Water refill: There’s a drinking fountain near the public restroom on the left side. Save NT$20 per bottle.
- Combined itinerary: Longshan Temple is a 10-minute walk from the Bopiliao Historical Block (old street). Visit both in one morning. Entry to Bopiliao is free too.
- Avoid incense touts: Some people outside will try to sell you expensive incense “for blessings.” They are not temple staff. Just walk past.
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