Banqiao Zenwu Temple, Taoist temple in Banqiao District, New Taipei, Taiwan
Banqiao Zenwu Temple is a Taoist temple in Banqiao District, New Taipei, built around multiple halls and decorated with stone carvings, painted walls, and ceramic roof figures. The outer facade features dragon motifs and guardian deities, while the interior holds altars and murals depicting scenes from Chinese mythology.
The temple was founded in 1947, shortly after the end of World War Two and the return of Taiwan to Chinese administration. It was built during a period when religious communities across Taiwan were rebuilding their practices after years under Japanese colonial rule.
The temple is devoted to Zhenwu, the True Martial Emperor, one of the most widely worshipped gods in Taiwanese folk religion. Visitors can watch worshippers light incense and offer prayers at the altars, especially on lunar calendar holidays tied to Zhenwu's birthday.
The temple is open year-round and can be visited on foot without any special preparation. On lunar calendar holidays it tends to fill with worshippers, so those who prefer a quieter visit should come on ordinary weekdays.
Although the temple was founded after World War Two, its stone carvings were made by craftspeople using techniques passed down for centuries in southern China and Taiwan. Some of the figures along the roof ridges do not represent deities at all but scenes from popular theatre plays and folk stories.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
