Travel Date: 2018/10/22
Looking for places to visit, I came across a mysterious temple. There was only the name in Pinyin, with no other information or the author of the picture. I couldn't ask anyone about its location. It was a challenging, but after a long search, I finally found out that it is called Tzude Temple in Caotun, Nantou.Since I saw a picture of this unique gourd-shaped temple, I couldn't wait to see it in person. It's definitely a special place, just like the Shell Temple or Glass Temple we visited before.
Getting here took us a lot of time on the road. Unfortunately, there were a few car accidents on the highway, and driving through Caotun wasn't as easy as I thought. This countryside area is quite crowded, and there was also a morning market blocking the road... But finally, we arrived, and fortunately, the temple has a large parking space for cars and tour buses.
Tzude Temple (慈德宮)
Tzude Temple in Nantou is definitely a special temple due to its shape. The shape resembles a lying gourd with a farmer's hat on four pillars, which has earned it the nickname "Gourd Temple." The temple itself is relatively small, but its unique shape attracts many tourists, not only believers who come to worship. The shape of this temple is believed to have been seen in Buddha's dream. The building is quite new and was finished in 1984.
At the entrance of the temple, you can see four pillars with a farmer's hat serving as a roof. As you walk under the hat, you can also admire the paintings there. The temple houses 56 different sculptures of gods, which adds to its uniqueness.
The temple is adorned with numerous dragons and phoenixes. You can also enter the temple through tunnels on both sides. If you walk behind the building, you will notice a huge flower sculpture as well. On the left side of the entrance, there is a 30-meter pillar covered with 19 dragons and 18 Louhan statues. At the top of the pillar is the Guanyin Bodhisattva. Each of the dragon's eyes is equipped with lights that illuminate at night, making it the most prominent landmark in east Caotun.
Behind the temple, you can find a sacred banyan tree that is over 300 years old. Local people have also built a small temple under the tree for worship, as they believe it is a sacred tree.
See also: Temples of Sun Moon Lake
Great article! Another cool place to discover 😎
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