Longtan Lake Scenic Area Introduction
Longtan Lake, formerly known as "Dapi Lake" and commonly referred to as "Dapi Hu," was once one of the "Twelve Scenic Spots of Lanyang." It is the largest lake among the five famous lakes of Yilan and retains its original natural appearance, located in Longtan Village, Jiaoxi Township, about 6 kilometers from Yilan City, with convenient transportation. The lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides, covering nearly 20 hectares, and is very expansive, with a depth of 4.5 fathoms. Numerous temples are nestled in the surrounding mountains, with the sound of morning and evening bells echoing, and the water is clear like a mirror reflecting the jade-green mountains. The scenery is pleasant, and visitors can paddle boats to explore the tranquility of the lake, where the harmonious coexistence of water and the vigorous physical activity presents a picturesque scene. Huanglong Mountain's Huangdi Temple and Zhangfu Temple are located by the lake, with Zhangfu Temple serving as the faith center for the residents of Longtan Village. Near the entrance of the temple, there is a tree that is about the same age as the new temple, accompanied by stone benches and tables for local residents to relax. Huanglong Mountain's Huangdi Temple, the most renowned and legendary site of the Xuanyuan Sect, is accessible via a side road near the second public restroom on the lakeside road, offering a serene environment and a spacious plaza with views of the entire Longtan Lake. Zhangfu Temple is located a few hundred meters in front of the water outlet of Longtan Lake. It serves as the faith center for the residents of Longtan Village, and the nearby roads are named after the temple, called Zhangfu Road. In the 62nd year of the Republic of China, the old temple was rebuilt into a new one, and its orientation was changed to face away from Longtan Lake, with the old site now transformed into a broad courtyard. The entrance to the new temple also features a tree that is about the same age as the temple, along with stone benches and tables for the residents of Zhangfu Road to enjoy the shade. Longtan Sanhuang Temple, located in the Longtan Lake scenic area, was formerly known as Yingde Temple and is dedicated to the Three Officials. Its origin dates back to the autumn of the seventh year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1802), established by ancestors of Wang Wanzhi from Zhangzhou, who brought the statue of the Great Emperor across the sea to Lanyang at the invitation of Wu Shagong's nephew, Wu Hua, who recruited settlers to cultivate the areas in Wuwei (in the suburbs of Yilan City), thereby establishing the altar for morning and evening worship as their guardian deity.
