Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple
Main Deities
About
How do you fit more than 600 deity statues into a temple smaller than 150 square meters? The Xia-Hai City God Temple on Dihua Street in Taipei's Dadaocheng does just that — the most densely packed temple in Taiwan, yet with astonishing devotion. It is dedicated to the City God (Chenghuang), guardian of the community, but what really draws young people to queue is the Matchmaker (Yue Lao) here. Said to bring together more than 6,000 couples a year, this little temple has become the acknowledged most effective place in Taiwan to pray for love. Don't rush off after praying — remember to drink a cup of the temple's 'Peace Tea,' brewed from red dates, wolfberries, and wedding candy, sweet as a wish for a sweet and lasting union.
History
In 1856, during the Xianfeng reign, a group of Tongan people in Dadaocheng pooled their money to build this City God temple to protect the peace of their settlement. Those were the years when Dadaocheng was taking off on the tea trade, and the temple naturally became the spiritual center for Tongan merchants. Under Japanese rule it once faced demolition, and only the determined efforts of local gentry saved the little temple. The real turning point came in the 1970s, when the temple began promoting worship of the Matchmaker (Yue Lao); wave after wave of people seeking love poured in, and this temple of under 150 square meters leapt to become one of the most popular Yue Lao temples in all Taiwan. Meanwhile the annual 'Taipei City God Reception' on the 13th day of the 5th lunar month packs the streets so tightly it is nicknamed 'the 13th of May, people watching people,' and for a century it has remained one of Taipei's three great temple festivals.
Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple
Datong District, Taipei City
Visitor Info
Address
No. 61, Dihua St. Sec. 1, Datong District, Taipei City
Region
Datong District, Taipei City