Hsuan Guang Temple Introduction
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese took Xuanzang's skull relic from Nanjing. After the war, they gave part of the relic to the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China. In 1955, the relic was brought to Taiwan, and in 1958, it was enshrined at Xuanguang Temple by Sun Moon Lake. Xuanguang Temple is only a few meters from the lake, and there is a dock below the temple where visitors can take a boat to the dock and then walk up the steps to visit. Inside the temple, there is a golden statue of Master Xuanzang, with a plaque reading "National Master of the Ethnic Group" hanging above. Although the skull relic of Master Xuanzang has been moved to Xuanzang Temple, Xuanguang Temple has become a must-visit spot for tourists traveling to Sun Moon Lake due to its convenient waterway transportation. The temple's architecture follows the Tang style; it was initially planned as a temporary enshrinement for the skull relic, thus it lacks the blue tiles and red pillars, appearing simple and elegant, evoking a sense of nostalgia. Built by the lake, visitors can closely appreciate the beautiful waters of Sun Moon Lake, as if being in a beautiful painting. In front of the temple, there is a large stone engraved with “Sun Moon Lake” and “Xuanguang Temple,” which has become a popular spot for tourists to take photos. Especially on weekends, the lines of people waiting to take pictures often circle around the small temple courtyard multiple times, creating another interesting scene.
