Zuoying Yuandi Temple, Kaohsiung
Zuoying Yuandi Temple and the nearby Statue of the Xuantian God in the Beiji Pavilion form one of the most visually striking religious sites along Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung. Dedicated to Xuantian Shangdi-also known as the Dark or Mysterious Heavenly Emperor-this Taoist complex honors the powerful deity believed to govern the northern heavens and protect against evil. Xuantian is often portrayed as a heroic figure who subdued a serpent and tortoise, symbols of chaos. His mythological legacy is deeply rooted in Taoist belief, and this temple serves as a major center of his veneration in southern Taiwan.
The Beiji Pavilion, also referred to as the Northern Pole Pavilion, is particularly famous for housing a colossal statue of Xuantian God. Seated regally and barefoot, the statue rises impressively above the temple鈥檚 roofline and can be seen from various points around Lotus Pond. Clad in warrior鈥檚 armor with a commanding gaze, the god rests one foot on a serpent and the other on a tortoise-an image both symbolic and protective.
Architecturally, the temple and pavilion blend traditional Taoist design with bold colors and intricate ornamentation. Red columns, decorative roof tiles, and elaborate carvings of dragons and phoenixes highlight the craftsmanship that defines southern Taiwanese temple aesthetics. Inside the halls, visitors will find altars, incense burners, and richly adorned statues of Taoist gods. The air is often thick with fragrant smoke and echoes of soft chanting, offering a deeply atmospheric setting for both prayer and observation.
The Beiji Pavilion, also referred to as the Northern Pole Pavilion, is particularly famous for housing a colossal statue of Xuantian God. Seated regally and barefoot, the statue rises impressively above the temple鈥檚 roofline and can be seen from various points around Lotus Pond. Clad in warrior鈥檚 armor with a commanding gaze, the god rests one foot on a serpent and the other on a tortoise-an image both symbolic and protective.
Architecturally, the temple and pavilion blend traditional Taoist design with bold colors and intricate ornamentation. Red columns, decorative roof tiles, and elaborate carvings of dragons and phoenixes highlight the craftsmanship that defines southern Taiwanese temple aesthetics. Inside the halls, visitors will find altars, incense burners, and richly adorned statues of Taoist gods. The air is often thick with fragrant smoke and echoes of soft chanting, offering a deeply atmospheric setting for both prayer and observation.
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Zuoying Yuandi Temple on Map
Sight Name: Zuoying Yuandi Temple
Sight Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan (See walking tours in Kaohsiung)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan (See walking tours in Kaohsiung)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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
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
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles