Zhangshan Temple Introduction
Zhangshan Temple, built in 1931, has a simple and steady appearance. Inside the temple, Guanyin Bodhisattva is enshrined. It is said that in the early years of the Republic of China, a resident living near Zhanghu accidentally discovered a stone statue resembling Guanyin. Out of sincerity, this person began to worship the statue, and due to the effectiveness of prayers, the number of devotees increased greatly, leading to the construction of the temple funded by them. After several renovations, it has taken on its current form. The temple is situated at a high elevation, and the spacious plaza in front offers an excellent vantage point for overlooking the greater Taipei area. There are three hiking trails nearby, which attract a continuous flow of hikers and worshippers on weekends, making it the most renowned temple in the Muzha tea region. Besides the Zhinan Temple, Zhangshan Temple is the most famous temple in the Erge Mountain area. Its location offers superb views of the Taipei basin, frequently drawing hikers and walkers who pause to gaze at the scenery. The nearby tea gardens abound, and tea-tasting visitors are constant, making it an important recreational hub for the public. Centered around Zhangshan Temple, three trails radiate outwards towards other recreational spots: the Feilong Mountain Trail (leading to National Chengchi University’s Huanshan Road), the section leading to Zhinan Elementary School, and the Jiucheng Temple Trail. The starting and ending points of these trails are all located at the Zhangshan Temple plaza. The Feilong Trail is characterized by a continuous stretch of rocks along the middle; from a distance, it resembles a dinosaur's spine, hence its name. The trail system connecting Zhinan Elementary School (No. 2, Lane 9, Section 3, Zhinan Road) runs through Iron Goddess of Mercy tea gardens, and upon completing the trail, one is surrounded by a tea fragrance. The Jiucheng Temple Trail is somewhat steeper, but along the way, in front of the Fude Temple, there is a century-old banyan tree with intertwined roots forming peculiar-looking knobs.
