Travel to Taiwan - Temple of the Eighteen Lords
The Eighteen Lords Temple is different to most Taiwanese temples. It is opened 24 hours a day.
It is at its most active in the wee small hours, when crowds of people - including some who work in Taipei’s entertainment industry - throng this cramped and cluttered shrine.
The temple dates back to the Cing Dynasty (1644-1911), when seventeen people set out by boat for the island of Putuoshan - not far from Shanghai - on a pilgrimage to a shrine there.
The vessel sank and all 17 died; their bodies, together with a dog that had miraculously survived, were washed ashore near what is Shihmen Town.
The dog, brokenhearted, soon died, and was buried along with the 17 unfortunate pilgrims. The mass grave is visible in the temple’s basement, where you’ll also see paintings and carvings that commemorate the tragic voyage. In the main part of the shrine, you’ll see a number of dog statues.
Curiously, it is said that all 18 “lords” like to smoke, and for this reason cigarettes are usually among the offerings left at the temple.
This is an excellent place to see how the Taiwanese can ensure that what otherwise might be a pious pilgrimage to a religious site is in fact a fun day for the entire family.
On the west side of the temple, there’s a covered arcade with more than 50 businesses. Many sell food, a few sell betel nut. Other vendors ask you to play games of skill or chance; you may win a can of soda or a stuffed toy.
If you look at the hills right behind the temple, you’ll see - and hear the gentle hum of - six wind turbines used to generate electricity. And the rushing stream that meets the ocean a short distance to the east of the temple, the Chaohua River, supplies water to Taiwan’s first nuclear power station.
Open Time : Open 24 hours
Public Transit: The nearest bus stop is around 100 meters south of the temple. Buses only stop here if you tell the driver in advance.
Personal Transit The Temple of the Eighteen Lords can be seen from Taiwan Highway 2, around four kilometers east of Shihmen. There are are car parks on both sides of the temple, from where you’ll have to walk for a few minutes.
