Wanhe Temple
Completed in 1726, Wanhe is the oldest temple in Taichung and one of the oldest in Taiwan. The temple is dedicated to the popular deity Matsu who is widely worshipped across the island. The building was originally built on the orders of a Qing Dynasty commander Zhang Guo as a thank you for his prosperity and successful settlement in the area. At the time, a princely sum of $10,000 was donated towards its construction.
The word “Wanhe” means means ‘Ten Thousand Peace.’ Inside the temple you will find enshrined the Goddess Matsu in the main front hall, bodhisattvas in the back hall and the Emperor Guang Gong and Emperor of Agriculture in the two wings. A visit to the nearby Wenchang temple and Nantun Old Street is also worthwhile. The building is classified a category 3 historical site.
Details:
No.51, Wanhe Rd., Sec.1, South Dist., Taichung
台中市南屯區萬和路一段51號
Open: Daytime hours (free entry)
Tel: 04-2389 3285
Getting There:
From the train station head up Taiwan Boulevard (台灣大道) to First Square bus stop (around 150m passed McDonalds on your right-hand side). Take bus no. 40 to Nantun South Road bus stop which is just across from a 7-11. Walk up Nantun Road about 500m to Wanhe Road 1st Section (萬和路一段) and turn left. Wanhe temple (萬和廟) is a few hundred meters down Wanhe road on the right.
You may also like to visit Wenchang Temple just around the corner while you are here.
References:
http://www.wanhegong.org.tw/index_e.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temples_of_Taichung
Cover Photo by
By Ludahai at en.wikipedia [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons
