Xinpu Guanghe Temple, Taoist temple in Xinpu, Taiwan
Xinpu Guanghe Temple sits at the heart of Xinpu Old Street with intricate mural paintings and traditional architectural details covering its exterior walls. The building displays a symmetrical layout along a central axis, with distinct sections that reflect different craftsmen's work and design approaches.
Built in 1860, the temple served multiple functions during the Qing Dynasty and Japanese Colonial period, including military drill exercises, community gathering, and rice storage operations. These varied uses demonstrate how central this place was to daily life in the region.
The temple honors the Sanshan King, a protective deity important to Hakka communities, and this devotion shapes how people visit and make offerings here. The spiritual practices visible today reflect the deep connection between this place and the Hakka identity of the surrounding area.
The temple is accessible via Highway 115 with regular bus services connecting to major transportation hubs in Hsinchu County. Visit during quieter periods outside major festivals to better appreciate the details and move freely around the space.
The temple was built using a parallel construction method where different master craftsmen designed and built each side of the central axis simultaneously rather than sequentially. This approach left each half with subtly different decorative details and structural choices that remain visible today.
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