[2025 Taipei Attraction] Travel Guide for Bangka Qingshan Temple (Updated Mar)

📍I first learned about Wanhua from the movie "Monga" starring Ethan Juan and Mark Chao. I didn't know there was such a fascinating place in Taipei. 🚤Monga originally referred to a small boat, and later came to refer to a place where small boats gathered, which is very fitting for this place's history. 🎊Wanhua is an ancient community in Taipei's Wanhua District and the starting point of Taipei's development. Monga was originally a settlement for indigenous people, but during the Qing Dynasty, it became more prosperous and lively with the increase of Han immigrants. It later experienced the Japanese colonial period and the rise of gangs from other provinces, which added to its mystique. 👉I couldn't wait to visit Longshan Temple in Monga and was lucky enough to meet the owner of Liangfenbo, the most famous dessert shop in Wanhua, who gave me a deeper understanding of the neighborhood. Without her, I might have just visited Longshan Temple and left, which would have been a shame! 🎊Recommended attractions: [One] Longshan Temple 🏯One of the oldest temples in Taiwan, Longshan Temple was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and has witnessed the development and changes of Taipei. The golden dragon at the entrance glows in the sunset. The temple has several halls, and the main deities worshiped include Guanyin, Guan Yu, and Mazu. The temple is always full of worshipers and tourists chanting and drawing lots. [Two] Qingshan Temple 🎢Just a few hundred meters from Longshan Temple is Qingshan Temple, a third-class national monument that is very important to locals. It is dedicated to the King of Qingshan. The birthday of the King of Qingshan is a grand celebration that attracts many worshipers and tourists. The temple fair includes religious ceremonies, traditional performances, parades, and temple fair food. [Three] Monga Night Market 🌇Monga Night Market and its surrounding area have many traditional and famous old shops. The squid, stinky tofu, salty porridge, and Guangxi snail noodles are all worth trying. [Four] Bopiliao: A park built on the site of the old Bopiliao to promote local culture and history. Many of the stories in the movie "Monga" took place in Bopiliao. [Five] Huajiang Community 🎢The most amazing thing is this circular building at the intersection of Huanhe South Road and Heping West Road. The three-story circular building connects four communities and 16 buildings, with more than 4,000 households. There is a lot of traffic under the overpass, and the long corridor is lined with clothes and flowers. It is said that this building complex was designed by six famous architects in the 1970s, based on the "mixed-use" design concept of Singapore. In addition to housing, there are also various traditional shops and pawnshops, and the large number of stairs create a maze-like effect. It is a popular filming location for commercials, music videos, and movies, especially horror movies.

Mengjia Qingshan Temple, built in 1856 (the 6th year of the Xianfeng reign), is a folk belief temple dedicated to Qingshan Ling'an Zunwang and is now listed as a municipal monument. Since the Qing Dynasty, this temple has been one of the centers of Wangye belief for the Quanzhou Sanyi Hui'an people in the Mengjia area. Every year on the eve of Qingshan Ling'an Zunwang's birthday, there is a grand ceremony, and the actual birthday is the most grand deity welcoming event in Wanhua District, commonly known as the "Mengjia Grand Worship." It is one of the three major temple fairs in Taipei City. Today, Mengjia Qingshan Temple, along with Mengjia Longshan Temple, Mengjia Qingshuiyan, and Ximending Tianhou Temple, are collectively known as the "Four Great Temples of Mengjia." 📍Address: No. 218, Section 2, Guiyang Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City 108 🕰️Business Hours: 6:00-22:00

🛫 Day 1: Explore Taipei 🏨 Accommodation recommendation: Stay at WEGO Motel 🎠, a unique motel. Although I stayed alone, the environment was warm and clean, perfect for relaxing and taking a break. The only downside is, who would have thought that one person could stay in a motel? I did! 😅 Attractions Taipei 101 Observatory 🏙️ I planned to go to the 89th floor to overlook the cityscape of Taipei 👀, but it rained heavily. The receptionist kindly advised me not to go up, saving me TWD 600! Although I didn't see the magnificent city view, I saved time and money. 💰 Simple Kaffa ☕ A popular coffee shop in Taipei! I wanted to dine in, but the wait was 2 hours, and takeout was 1 hour? However, buying a cup of coffee allows you to go to the 88th floor of Taipei 101 for free, which is a great deal! If you want to save money, book online in advance. 🎫 Mengjia Longshan Temple 🏯 One of the oldest temples in Taipei. It is crowded with visitors. I sincerely prayed for a smooth relationship in front of the Matchmaker Temple. I also used the "Zhou Chu Eliminates Three Evils" soap, haha! 🧼 Qingshan Temple 🏮 Not far from Longshan Temple, it is very quiet and not crowded! It is a good place for solo travelers to meditate. It feels like a pure land. 🧘‍♂️ Night Market Exploration 5. Shilin Night Market 🌟 Shilin Night Market is bustling. Most people line up to buy grilled king oyster mushrooms, and there are many Japanese tourists, creating a lively atmosphere. However, I think the pepper cake tastes similar to a meat pie, delicious but not surprising. 🍴 Elephant Mountain 🏞️ Climb to the top of the mountain and enjoy the panoramic view of Taipei 101, which is breathtaking! But remember to wear sunscreen, as the sun in Taipei is not to be underestimated. I also saw big spiders 🕷️, big snails 🐌, and beautiful butterflies 🦋, a must-visit for nature lovers. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall ⛲ I happened to encounter the SDGs event "Awakening Waves", and the exhibition in the memorial hall was rich and interesting, which was touching. After the visit, I felt recharged for my environmental actions! 🔋 Food Carnival 8. Raohe Night Market 🍢 A night market recommended by locals, it is cleaner than Shilin Night Market. There are so many kinds of food that it is dazzling. I couldn't eat them all, and I wanted to eat all the snacks in one go! 😋 Day 2: Leisurely Tour of Yilan 🚗 Transportation: Depart from Taipei, take a bus, and arrive at Jiaoxi, Yilan after an hour. It is a hot spring resort with beautiful scenery and fresh air. 🏨 Accommodation recommendation: Stay at Hotel PIN. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and there is a hot spring pool, which is a good place to relax after a long day. 🍃 Attractions Jimmy Park in Yilan 🎨 If you like taking photos, don't miss it. Jimmy's sculptures are a perfect combination of art and nature. Standing next to the sculptures, it feels like being in a fantasy world. 📸 Dongmen Night Market 🌆 A night market recommended by locals, featuring sorghum wine sausage, scallion pancakes, salt and pepper chicken, starfruit juice, etc. The small night market is full of food. 🍢 Yishun Xuan 🧀 A souvenir shop in Yilan, must-buy items include cheddar cheese and ox tongue cake. The products will leave you wanting more! 🍪 Beach and Nature 4. Waiao Beach 🏖️ A good place for paragliding. Remember to check the weather before departure. Paragliding gives you an unprecedented sense of freedom. The price is TWD 1,200, and the fee will be refunded if the weather is not suitable for flying. Flying over the black sand beach is so cool! 🪂 Octagonal Lookout 🌅 Climb to the lookout, and the scenery is breathtaking. You can see Turtle Island in the distance, and the sea breeze is very pleasant. 🍃 Culture and History 6. Luodong Sports Park 🌳 A check-in place in the TV series "Someday or One Day", with lush trees and a quiet environment. If you want to enjoy nature, take a walk here. 🌿 Dadaocheng/Dihua Street 🏙️ This area has a strong old street culture, and walking through it feels like going back in time. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people barbecue on the street, which is very lively. 🍖 Food Recommendations 8. Ningxia Night Market 🍡 The sudden road repair prevented me from seeing the beauty of the night market, but I accidentally found the milk tea shop 50 Lan, which is worth a try! 🥤 Mianxian Town 🍜 If you are a noodle lover, don't miss it! The noodles are so delicious that you will never forget them. Some people say they are better than Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle. 👨‍🍳 Shopping and Return 10. Taoyuan Airport Shopping 🛍️ If you haven't bought enough souvenirs on your return trip, Taoyuan Airport is a shopping paradise. You can get a tax refund for purchases over TWD 2,000, and the staff will assist you. 🛫 This trip is full of natural scenery and historical culture, and each attraction has its unique charm. The modern city of Taipei and the tranquility of Yilan form a sharp contrast, giving me a completely different travel experience. If you are planning a trip to Taiwan, you may refer to this guide and leave yourself with beautiful memories.

During the Three Kingdoms period, General Zhang Gun served under Sun Quan. He was known for his contributions in governing Hui'an in Quanzhou, and after his death, the Qingshan Temple was built in his honor. Zhang Gun was also known as 'King Qingshan' or 'Ling'an Zunwang.' King Qingshan was believed to have the power to quell epidemics, oversee justice, and punish good and evil. The temple also enshrines other deities such as the Eight Officials, General Jia, and General Suo. Mengjia Qingshan Temple has a history of over a hundred years and is built in the 'one hall, three courtyards' style, using wood and stone. Despite undergoing several renovations, it has maintained its beautiful appearance. The octagonal caisson ceiling inside the temple is particularly noteworthy, and the materials used for its restoration have historical significance. Additionally, the stone pillars and stone floor in the front hall are said to have been sourced from the Taiwan Shrine in Yuanshan during the Japanese colonial period.