Sanchong Xianse Temple, Buddhist and Taoist temple in Sanchong District, Taiwan
Xianse Temple is a religious building in Sanchong that combines Buddhist and Taoist worship and rises over three stories. The upper levels house prayer halls with altars and offerings, while the ground floor serves ritual purposes and additional devotional spaces.
The site was founded in the mid-18th century during the Qianlong era and served as a spiritual center for early Chinese settlers in the region. Flooding later forced the relocation of the building to its present location, where it continues to function as a focal point for the community.
The temple honors Shennong, the divine farmer, whose figure stands in the main hall and is believed to bring blessings for health and harvests to visitors. Believers come here to light incense and offer prayers for their families, while the community uses the site as a gathering place.
The building is located on Wuguowang North Street and opens to visitors during daytime hours, with religious ceremonies taking place at certain times of the day. Those wishing to stay longer can find simple guest rooms the temple provides for pilgrims.
The construction shows two different carpentry styles from 1925, as separate groups of craftsmen worked on each side and applied their own techniques. This architectural feature makes the left and right halves of the structure a clear example of regional craft traditions.
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