Tamsui Longshan Temple Introduction
Located in the alleys of Tamsui Old Street, Tamsui Longshan Temple is one of the five existing Longshan Temples in Taiwan. Built in 1858, the temple primarily enshrines Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The temple, with its long and narrow structure, once had a spacious courtyard in the front and a garden in the back. It serves not only as one of the centers of faith in Tamsui but also has functions related to local governance and self-defense, collectively known with Qingshui Temple, Yinshan Temple, and Fuyou Temple as the "Four Major Temples of Tamsui". The Longshan Temple serves as the faith center for the San Yi immigrants from Quanzhou, Fujian. Since the Qing Dynasty, the San Yi people have been the primary group of Han Chinese who came to Taiwan to farm, controlling various commercial interests across Taiwan while bringing along their native religious beliefs and architectural styles, greatly influencing Taiwanese culture. Tamsui Longshan Temple is a branch temple of Longshan Temple in Jinjiang, Fujian, and has become an important gathering center for the San Yi people in Tamsui. The statue of Guanyin in the main hall is solemn and exquisitely carved, and the temple’s facade is constructed using Guanyin stone. During renovations, efforts were made to restore the building to its original style, making this ancient temple even more precious. 慈航普度 Tamsui Longshan Temple has preserved numerous historical relics, such as stone tablets, plaques, and stone pillars. The plaque "慈航普度" hanging in the temple is a must-visit. In 1884, during the Sino-French War, Tamsui became a battlefield where the two armies confronted each other. It is said that Guanyin manifested during the war to protect the residents of Tamsui from the dangers of conflict. In 1886, Taiwan Governor Liu Ming-chuan petitioned Emperor Guangxu to grant the plaque "慈航普度" in gratitude for Guanyin's assistance in safeguarding Tamsui's safety.
