Cebu Taoist Temple, Taoist temple in Beverly Hills, Cebu City, Philippines

Cebu Taoist Temple rises in tiers on a slope in the Beverly Hills Subdivision: white walls with red trim and green tiled roofs, topped by a taller octagonal section with a white balustrade and a spire. A red brick wall with round white plaques bearing red characters stands to the right, and a long blue dragon sculpture with a tan head descends the grassy slope among rocks.

The site was founded in 1972 by the Chinese Filipino community as a center for religious gatherings and worship. It has grown over the decades into a recognized place for Taoist practice within the city.

The temple is the centre of Taoist worship in the Visayas, following the teachings of Lao Zi. On Wednesdays and Sundays devotees climb the 81 steps, one for each chapter of the Taoist scriptures, to light joss sticks and have their fortune read by monks. The rear entrance reproduces the Great Wall of China.

The temple is generally accessible to visitors and includes a chapel, library, souvenir shop, and viewing areas overlooking the city. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable since exploring the different levels requires climbing.

The wish ritual uses two wooden blocks called jiaobei: after washing hands and entering the chapel barefoot, a devotee drops them. Only if both land face up may a wish be made; otherwise the answer is that the time has not come, and the devotee returns another day.