Yinshan Temple Introduction
Established in 1822, Yanshan Temple is the only well-preserved "Dinguang Buddha Temple" in Taiwan. Dinguang Buddha is a local belief of Hakka immigrants from Tingzhou in Western Fujian, introduced to Taiwan along with the migration. The Tingzhou immigrants collectively raised funds to purchase land and build this temple to honor the guardian deity Dinguang Gufo and to serve as a gathering place for fellow villagers from Tingzhou. Yanshan Temple is located on Xuefu Road, across from Tamsui MRT Station. Though it is not a large-scale temple, its complete structure makes it a must-visit for those studying traditional temple architecture, featuring the front hall, main hall, Sanchuan Hall, and Hulong, with exquisite hand-carved decorations inside the temple. There is a crescent-shaped water pool in front of the temple, with two wells on either side in the back, resembling a pair of eyes, while the crescent water pool resembles a toad's mouth, forming what is known in feng shui as the "toad cave." Friends interested in this topic may wish to delve deeper into their study. Roof style: The Sanchuan Hall features a three-ridge design in the main hall, with the protective rooms on both sides having a flat and straight saddle roof design, showcasing a simple and welcoming style. The dragon ridgeline of the main hall forms a gently rising beautiful curve, with the roof also symbolizing the status hierarchy in traditional architecture; the cut tiles and clay sculptures on the ridge are exquisite works of art. Stone carvings of dragon pillars: The most distinctive feature of Yanshan Temple's stone carvings is their ancient shapes and beautiful compositions; clay sculptures: Located on the left and right walls of the porch in Sanchuan Hall, the colored clay sculptures display vivid postures and expressions, making them masterpieces among clay art; wood carvings: At the top of the dragon pillar stone carvings in the front porch are exquisite wooden scrolls and vertical logs. This short column, hanging from the beam structure, primarily serves to distribute the weight of the roof to each pillar, playing a significant role in traditional architecture. Layout and beams: Entering through the Sanchuan Hall at the front, the left and right sides lead to the water corridors and protective rooms, forming a complete enclosed courtyard with the main hall, creating a tranquil and solemn atmosphere in the central courtyard. The art of wood structure in traditional architecture is clearly presented in the interior of Sanchuan Hall, with the roof structure composed of two main beams and three support columns. While understanding the roof structure, one can further appreciate these finely beautiful sculptural arts. It is currently designated as a national historic site.
