Zuoying Ciji Temple, Kaohsiung

Zuoying Ciji Temple, located at the northern end of Kaohsiung鈥檚 Lotus Lake, is a visually captivating Taoist temple dedicated to Xuan Wu, also known as the God Almighty of the Mysterious Heavens. The temple is best recognized by the towering statue of the deity, depicted with one foot on a serpent and the other on a tortoise-symbols of chaos subdued by divine power. This iconic image not only dominates the temple grounds but also serves as a spiritual guardian over the northern entrance to the lake.

Architecturally, the temple follows the elaborate style common to many Taiwanese Taoist shrines, with richly decorated rooflines, colorful carvings of dragons, and intricate representations of warrior gods. Inside, the scent of incense and the rhythmic clinking of fortune sticks create a contemplative atmosphere where visitors can observe or participate in traditional worship practices. Entrance to the temple is free, making it an inviting stop for those interested in both religion and design.

While less crowded than some of the lake鈥檚 more famous pagodas, the temple offers a serene space for reflection and a vivid example of southern Taiwan鈥檚 living religious traditions. It鈥檚 an ideal destination for travelers seeking cultural depth and an authentic sense of place.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kaohsiung. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Zuoying Ciji Temple
Sight Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan (See walking tours in Kaohsiung)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Lotus Pond Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Create Your Own Walk in Kaohsiung

Creating your own self-guided walk in Kaohsiung is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Lotus Pond Walking Tour

They say that once, on a quiet day by Kaohsiung鈥檚 Lotus Pond, the Goddess of Mercy appeared in the clouds, riding a dragon above the water. The vision so impressed locals that they built temples and shrines to honor her presence.

That is only one of the reasons why Lotus Pond is today one of southern Taiwan鈥檚 most photographed landmarks. Created in 1951, the pond was envisioned both as a... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

Kaohsiung Introduction Walking Tour

Kaohsiung didn鈥檛 start as Taiwan鈥檚 southern powerhouse. Its first name, 鈥淭akau,鈥� came from the Makatau people, who lived off fishing, hunting, and small-scale farming in a land once described simply as a bamboo forest. Chinese settlers under the Ming and Qing dynasties kept the name, bending the pronunciation to their tongues. Then in 1895, Japan claimed Taiwan and gave the place a new... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles

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