Bishanyan, Chinese temple in Neihu District, Taipei, Taiwan
Bishanyan is a Chinese temple set on a mountainside in Neihu District, built with traditional architectural elements spread across multiple levels. The main hall contains five distinct shrines arranged within its carefully designed interior space.
Founded in 1751 by settlers from Fujian Province during the Qing Dynasty, the temple began as a simple stone shrine. Reported supernatural events in the following years prompted several expansions and transformations of the complex.
The temple honors Kaizhang Shengwang, a deity based on Tang Dynasty general Chen Yuan-Guang, and remains central to the spiritual life of the surrounding neighborhood. You can observe worshippers lighting incense and performing rituals that reflect the enduring importance of this place to the local community.
The temple is open daily from early morning to evening for visitors, with no entrance fee required. The easiest way to reach it is by using bus connections from Neihu MRT station that head toward the mountain area.
The complex honors traditional worship practices on its mountainside setting, yet includes modern additions such as a coffee shop and art space. From its elevated position, visitors enjoy an unconventional view of Taipei city, especially memorable during evening hours.
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