Yinshan Temple Introduction
Built in 1822, Yanshan Temple is the only well-preserved "Dingguang Buddha Temple" in Taiwan. The Dingguang Buddha is a local belief of Hakka immigrants from Tingzhou, Fujian, which was passed down to Taiwan through migration. In the past, the Tingzhou immigrants pooled resources to purchase land and build this temple to worship the guardian deity, Dingguang Buddha, and also to serve as a meeting hall for fellow immigrants from Tingzhou. Yanshan Temple is located on Xuefu Road, across from Tamsui MRT Station. Although it is not a large temple, its complete structure makes it a must-visit for those researching traditional temple architecture, including the front hall, main hall, Sanchuan Hall, and Longfu. The decorative carvings inside the temple are exquisitely crafted. In front of the temple, there is a crescent-shaped water pool, and behind it, there are wells on each side, which represent a pair of eyes, while the crescent water pool resembles a toad's mouth, forming what is known in feng shui as the "toad hole." Friends interested in this should take a closer look and study it. The roof style features a Sanchuan ridge on the main hall, and the left and right sides have a flat and straight horseback design, presenting a simple and friendly style. The ridgeline of the dragon roof in the main hall forms a slightly uplifted beautiful curve, and the roof reflects the hierarchical symbolism of traditional architecture. The cut tiles and clay sculptures on the ridge are rare exquisite works; Stone carvings of dragon pillars: The most distinctive feature of Yanshan Temple's stone carvings is their ancient shapes and beautiful compositions; Clay sculptures: The colorful clay sculptures on the left and right walls of the front porch of Sanchuan Hall are distinctive and vividly expressive, considered outstanding works among clay sculptures; Wood carvings: The upper part of the stone-carved dragon pillar in the front porch features exquisite wooden carvings of hanging tubes and vertical logs. This short pillar, suspended from the beam frame, primarily serves to distribute the weight of the roof across the columns, playing a significant role in traditional architecture. Layout and beams: Entering from the front Sanchuan Hall, the left and right sides feature water corridors and protective structures, forming a complete closed courtyard with the main hall, allowing the central space to present a tranquil and solemn atmosphere. The wooden structure art of traditional architecture is clearly presented in the interior of Sanchuan Hall, where the "two bars and three tubes" roof frame structure consists of two main beams and three tube beams. Understanding the roof frame structure further allows appreciation of these finely crafted and beautiful carvings. It is currently classified as a national historic site.
