Tamsui Longshan Temple Introduction
Located in the alleys of Tamsui Old Street, Tamsui Longshan Temple is one of the five surviving Longshan temples in Taiwan. Built in 1858, it is primarily dedicated to Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The narrow, elongated temple structure originally had a spacious courtyard in the front and a garden in the back. It is not only one of the centers of faith in Tamsui but also serves local self-governance and defense functions, and is collectively referred to with Qingshui Temple, Yanshan Temple, and Fuyou Temple as the "Four Great Temples of Tamsui." The Longshan Temple is the religious center for the San Yi immigrants from Quanzhou. Since the Qing dynasty, the San Yi people have been the primary Han settlers who crossed the sea to cultivate land in Taiwan, gaining control over commercial interests across the island while also bringing their homeland's religion and architecture, which greatly influenced Taiwanese culture. Tamsui Longshan Temple is a branch temple of Longshan Temple in Jinjiang, Fujian, and serves as an important gathering place for the San Yi people in Tamsui. The main hall's statue of Guanyin is solemn, with exquisite and detailed carvings, and the temple’s front construction is made primarily of Guanyin stone. During renovations, efforts have been made to restore the style of the original construction period, making this ancient temple even more precious. The Tamsui Longshan Temple also preserves numerous historical artifacts, such as stone tablets, plaques, and columns. The prominent plaque "Cihang Pudu" (慈航普度) hanging in the temple is a must-visit. During the Sino-French War in 1884, Tamsui became a battlefield between the two armies. It is said that the Guanyin Buddha at Tamsui Longshan Temple manifested during the war to protect the local residents from the dangers of conflict. In 1886, Taiwan Governor Liu Mingchuan petitioned Emperor Guangxu to grant the plaque "Cihang Pudu" in gratitude for Guanyin's assistance in safeguarding Tamsui.
