Hungry Ghost Festival Nanshan Fude Temple Introduction
Hung Lu Di Nan Shan Fu De Temple is located on the summit of Nan Shi Jiao Mountain, which stands at an altitude of 300 meters. With its expansive views, it has become a famous tourist destination for admiring the night scenery of Greater Taipei. This temple is also known as the most prosperous land temple for wealth in Northern Taiwan. The main hall of Hung Lu Di enshrines the God of Wealth (Fu De Zheng Shen), the Goddess of Childbirth (Zhu Sheng Niang Niang), and the Mountain Deity (Shan Shen Xing Jun). The God of Wealth hall worships the Five Path Gods of Wealth, the God of Literature (Wen Chang Di Jun), and the God of Love (Yue Lao Xing Jun), among others. Visitors come to worship not only to see the largest statue of the God of Wealth in Taiwan but also to ascend the stone steps to the main hall, where the 2-meter tall statue of the God of Wealth, with its "big ingot" in hand, has become shiny from the devout touch of believers, promising them a year of abundant fortune. *A small reminder: the main hall is situated at a higher location, so if you are bringing elders, it's advisable to park at the rear mountain parking lot for convenience. The origin of Hung Lu Di, also known as Nan Shi Jiao Mountain, stands at 302 meters and is located in the southern part of Zhonghe District. Nan Shan Fu De Temple was built by immigrants from Zhangzhou. At that time, the area of Nan Shi Jiao was still wilderness, and the purpose of the temple overlooking the Taipei Basin was to bless this land. The protruding mountain tops at the back and both sides of the temple resemble a stove, hence the name “Hung Lu Di.” Due to the exceptional efficacy of the God of Wealth here, word-of-mouth spread, and the temple's incense offerings grew increasingly vibrant, making almost all who hike up the mountain do so to visit Hung Lu Di, resulting in the interesting phenomenon of “first the temple, then the road.” In addition to worshiping and praying for blessings, the scenic beauty of Hung Lu Di attracts many hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Here, visitors can explore the nearby Chai Cheng Trail or take the hiking path behind the temple leading to Nan Shi Jiao Mountain. At the pavilion on the summit, you can overlook the Taipei Basin, the Dahan and Xindian Rivers, and view the Guanyin and Datun Volcano groups and Tamsui River estuary. On clear days, Taipei 101 can also be seen in the distance.
