Jiantan Old Temple Introduction
Jiantan has a legendary story; it is said that Zheng Chenggong once led his troops past this pond, where dragon-like water monsters created chaos, harming countless people. Zheng Chenggong threw the treasured sword he wore at the pond's creatures, and from then on, the water became calm. The pond was subsequently named "Jiantan" due to Zheng Chenggong's action to quell the beasts. Based on the records of the Taiwan Prefecture Gazetteer, it is noted that "Guanyin Temple is at Bajhilan Jiantan." According to the Tamsui Hall Gazetteer, "Jiantan Temple was built in the 38th year of the Qianlong reign by Wu Tinggao and others." There is an inscription at the temple describing a monk named Master Ronghua, who encountered a snake blocking his path. Using divination to predict fortunes, he received a very auspicious result, leading him to build the temple here. Later, a vision from the Bodhisattva in white instructed that eight boats from Shanghai would pass by Keelung, allowing for fundraising, which indeed came true, leading to the establishment of Jiantan Temple. Therefore, it is believed to have a history of over 350 years, although during the later period of Japanese rule, it was forced to relocate to its current site in Dazhi. There is a gateway before the temple with the words "Jiantan Ancient Temple" inscribed beneath a greenish-blue tiled roof. The small alley inside is the original site of Jiantan Ancient Temple, where many of the old temple columns and stone tablets are preserved in this wooded area. The remnants on the columns tell segments of history, exuding a strong sense of the past.
