Longshan Temple is one of the best places to start if you want to understand old Taipei. Located in Wanhua, Taipei’s oldest district, this historic temple is not only a place of worship but also the center of a neighborhood filled with local markets, traditional medicine shops, old streets, night markets, and cultural landmarks.
Many visitors come to Longshan Temple, take a few photos, and leave within 20 minutes. But that would be a mistake. Some of the best things to do around Longshan Temple are only a short walk away, including Bopiliao Historic Block, Herb Alley, Qingshan Temple, Huaxi Street Night Market, and Ximending.
This guide will help you plan a half-day or evening route around Longshan Temple, especially if you want to experience Taipei beyond Taipei 101 and the usual modern city highlights.
For travelers who prefer a local guide, you can also include this area in our Private Custom 8-Hour Taipei City Tour.
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💁🏻♀️ Why Longshan Temple Is Worth Visiting
Longshan Temple, also called Lungshan Temple or Bangka Longshan Temple, was built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian. It became one of the most important religious and community centers in old Taipei.
Today, Longshan Temple is famous for three main reasons.
First, it is a living temple. Local people still come here every day to pray for health, family, work, study, business, and relationships.
Second, it is architecturally beautiful. Look closely at the roof, stone columns, wooden carvings, dragon decorations, phoenix figures, and colorful details. This is one of the best places in Taipei to see traditional Taiwanese temple craftsmanship.
Third, it is surrounded by Wanhua, one of Taipei’s most historic neighborhoods. This makes Longshan Temple much more than a single sightseeing stop. It can easily become the starting point for a deeper Taipei cultural walk.
Quick Visitor Information for Longshan Temple
Longshan Temple is located at No. 211, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei.
The easiest way to visit is by MRT. Take the Blue Line to Longshan Temple Station, then walk to the temple from the station exit.
Opening hours are usually from 06:00 to 22:00, with last admission around 21:45. However, hours may change during special events, religious festivals, or local announcements, so it is always best to double-check before visiting.
Best time to visit:
- Morning: Best for a quieter temple atmosphere and local worship scenes.
- Late afternoon: Best if you want to continue to Herb Alley and night markets.
- Evening: Best for photography and nearby food, but it may be busier.
Suggested visit time:
- Longshan Temple only: 30–45 minutes
- Longshan Temple + nearby old streets: 2–3 hours
- Longshan Temple + Wanhua food and night market: 3–4 hours
@huang.snaps Lungshan Temple is a Chinese temple located in Taipei, Taiwan. This temple was built in 1738 by the Chinese settlers from Fujian during the Qing rule. Despite the history, the actual temple today was a rebuilt and repaired due to natural disaster and bombing during the Taihoku Air Raid in 1945, Today, many local and foreigners visit the temple as worship and blessing. . . . #taiwan #taipei #lungshantemple #bangka #fujian #historical #cultural #guanyu #mazu #yuelao #blessing #worship #cinematic #sony #sonyalpha ♬ original sound – Chun Huang
1. Start With Longshan Temple Itself
Before exploring the surrounding area, take your time inside Longshan Temple.
Do not only take photos from the front gate. Walk slowly through the courtyard and look up. The roof decorations, stone pillars, wooden beams, and detailed carvings are some of the most beautiful parts of the temple.
Longshan Temple is home to many deities from Buddhist, Taoist, and folk religious traditions. Visitors often pray to Guanyin for protection and compassion, Mazu for safe journeys, Wenchang Dijun for study and exams, and Yue Lao, the Matchmaker God, for love and marriage.
Even if you are not religious, Longshan Temple is worth visiting because it shows how faith, daily life, history, and art continue to live together in Taipei.
Travel tip: Be respectful when taking photos. Avoid blocking worshippers, do not photograph people too closely while they are praying, and keep your voice low inside the temple.
At Justaiwantour, we often include Longshan Temple and Wanhua in private Taipei city tours for travelers who want to understand local culture, temple traditions, night market food, and old Taipei history.
2. Visit Herb Alley Beside Longshan Temple
One of the easiest things to do around Longshan Temple is to walk into Herb Alley, also known as Xichang Street Herb Lane or Qingcao Lane.
This small lane is filled with traditional herb shops selling herbal teas, dried herbs, cooling drinks, and local remedies. In the past, people would visit Longshan Temple to pray, then stop by Herb Alley to buy traditional herbal medicine.
For foreign visitors, this area feels very different from modern Taipei. You can smell the herbs, see old-style shopfronts, and try a cup of bitter or cooling herbal tea.
Recommended experience:
- Try a local herbal tea.
- Take photos of the old shop signs.
- Ask your guide to explain common Taiwanese herbal drinks.
- Visit before dinner, then continue to Huaxi Street Night Market.
3. Walk to Bopiliao Historic Block
Bopiliao Historic Block is one of the best places to visit near Longshan Temple. It is only a short walk away and gives visitors a look at old Taipei through red-brick buildings, arched walkways, historic streets, and cultural exhibitions.
The area preserves parts of Wanhua’s past, including Qing Dynasty, Japanese colonial, and postwar urban history. Today, Bopiliao is often used for exhibitions, photography, cultural education, and local events.
Why visitors like it:
- It is easy to walk from Longshan Temple.
- It has beautiful old brick buildings.
- It is good for photos.
- It helps travelers understand old Taipei.
- It is suitable for families and senior travelers because the walking distance is short.
Suggested time: 30–60 minutes.
Photo tip: Go during the day for the best light on the red-brick walls and old street corners.
Read more in our Taipei travel guide.
4. Add Qingshan Temple for a Deeper Temple Route
If you want to go beyond Longshan Temple, add Qingshan Temple to your walking route.
Qingshan Temple is another important temple in Wanhua and is famous for its local religious culture and annual Qingshan King Festival. Compared with Longshan Temple, it feels smaller and more local, which makes it a good stop for travelers who want a deeper look at Taipei’s traditional side.
A good walking route is:
Longshan Temple → Herb Alley → Qingshan Temple → Qingshui Temple → Bopiliao Historic Block → Huaxi Street Night Market
This route gives visitors a stronger sense of old Taipei’s temple culture, local streets, food, and neighborhood history.
If you enjoy this kind of cultural stop, you may also like our guide to temples in Taipei, which introduces more places to experience Taiwan’s religious culture.
5. See Traditional Market Life Around Wanhua
Wanhua is one of the best areas in Taipei to see traditional local life. Around Longshan Temple, you can find old markets, food stalls, religious supply shops, fruit vendors, and small family-run stores.
This is what makes the area different from Xinyi or Taipei 101. Around Longshan Temple, Taipei feels older, slower, and more local. It is not only about sightseeing. It is about seeing how local people shop, pray, eat, and live.
For first-time visitors, a local guide can make this area much more interesting. Many shops and traditions may look ordinary from the outside, but they have stories connected to local history, folk beliefs, and old Taipei trade.
Longshan Temple is located in Wanhua, one of Taipei’s oldest districts. To understand more about this historic side of the city, you can also read our guide to Dihua Street and Wanhua.
6. Eat Around Huaxi Street Night Market
After visiting Longshan Temple, one of the best evening stops is Huaxi Street Night Market. It is one of Taipei’s classic night market areas and is located very close to the temple.
The area around Huaxi Street, Guangzhou Street, Wuzhou Street, and Xichang Street has many food stalls and local restaurants. Popular things to try include oyster omelets, squid soup, meatballs, seafood, goose meat, traditional snacks, and herbal-style food.
Huaxi Street is also known for foot massage shops and old-style covered market streets. It feels different from Shilin Night Market or Raohe Street Night Market because the atmosphere is more old Taipei than trendy Taipei.
Recommended food route:
- Start at Longshan Temple in the late afternoon.
- Walk to Herb Alley for herbal tea.
- Visit Bopiliao Historic Block before it gets too dark.
- Have dinner around Huaxi Street or Guangzhou Street.
- End with a walk through Ximending if you still have energy.
After visiting Longshan Temple, one of the easiest local food routes is from Ximending to Huaxi Night Market, where you can experience old Taipei food, night market snacks, and Wanhua’s evening atmosphere.
Want a local guide to arrange the food route for you? See our Ximending to Huaxi Night Market private tour.
7. Continue to Ximending
Ximending is also in Wanhua District, although it has a completely different feeling from Longshan Temple.
Longshan Temple shows old Taipei. Ximending shows youth culture, shopping, street food, movie theaters, bubble tea, fashion, and neon lights. Visiting both areas in one route gives travelers a strong contrast between traditional and modern Taipei.
You can walk or take one short MRT ride from Longshan Temple to Ximen. If you are planning a flexible Taipei city tour, this combination works very well:
- Longshan Temple for culture
- Bopiliao for history
- Huaxi Street for local food
- Ximending for shopping and nightlife
This route is great for first-time visitors who want more than just famous landmarks.
8. Suggested Half-Day Longshan Temple Walking Route
Here is an easy route for first-time visitors. Longshan Temple is easy to reach by MRT, and first-time visitors can read our guide on how to use Taipei MRT before planning the route.
Start: Longshan Temple MRT Station
Stop 1: Longshan Temple
Spend 30–45 minutes exploring the temple, courtyard, roof details, and prayer areas.
Stop 2: Herb Alley
Spend 15–30 minutes trying herbal tea and seeing traditional herb shops.
Stop 3: Bopiliao Historic Block
Spend 30–60 minutes walking through old red-brick streets and cultural spaces.
Stop 4: Qingshan Temple
Spend 20–30 minutes visiting a smaller local temple.
Stop 5: Huaxi Street Night Market
Spend 1–2 hours eating dinner and trying local snacks.
Optional final stop: Ximending
Add shopping, dessert, bubble tea, or nightlife.
Best time to start: 3:00–4:00 PM
Best for: Culture lovers, photographers, food travelers, families, and first-time visitors to Taipei.
9. How to Include Longshan Temple in a Taipei Private Tour
Longshan Temple is easy to visit by MRT, but a private tour is better if you want to understand the stories behind the temple and the Wanhua neighborhood.
With a local guide, you can learn:
● How to pray respectfully in a Taiwanese temple
● Which deities locals pray to for love, study, health, and business
● What the dragon and phoenix decorations mean
● Why Wanhua was important in old Taipei
● What to eat around Huaxi Street Night Market
● How Longshan Temple connects with Bopiliao, Herb Alley, and Ximending
A good Taipei private tour can combine Longshan Temple with other city highlights, such as Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Dihua Street, Taipei 101, National Palace Museum, or Ximending.
💡 Best Longshan Temple Itinerary Ideas
Classic Taipei Culture Route
- Longshan Temple
- Bopiliao Historic Block
- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
- Dihua Street
- Taipei 101 photo stop
- Ximending
Best for first-time visitors who want a balanced Taipei city tour.
For travelers who want to understand local worship, incense, temple etiquette, and folk beliefs, Longshan Temple is also a great introduction to Taiwanese culture and temple traditions.
Old Taipei Food & Culture Route
- Longshan Temple
- Herb Alley
- Bopiliao Historic Block
- Huaxi Street Night Market
- Ximending
Best for travelers who want local food, culture, and evening atmosphere.
Family-Friendly Taipei Route
- Longshan Temple
- Bopiliao Historic Block
- Taipei 101
- Ximending
- Raohe Night Market or Huaxi Street Night Market
Best for families who want short walks and easy transportation.
For travelers who prefer visiting after sunset, Longshan Temple can be part of a bigger Taipei evening route with night markets, Ximending, and local food. See more ideas in our guide to things to do in Taipei at night.
✨ Tips for Visiting Longshan Temple
● Dress respectfully. You do not need formal clothing, but avoid beachwear or overly revealing outfits.
● Keep your voice low. Longshan Temple is an active place of worship.
● Watch before joining rituals. If you are not sure what to do, observe local worshippers or ask your guide.
● Do not block worshippers when taking photos. The best photos are usually from the courtyard, roofline, and side angles.
● Visit nearby attractions, not only the temple. The Wanhua neighborhood is the real reason this area is so interesting.
● Bring cash for snacks. Many traditional food stalls and small shops may prefer cash.
Is Longshan Temple Worth Visiting?
Yes, Longshan Temple is absolutely worth visiting, especially for first-time travelers to Taipei. It is historic, beautiful, easy to reach by MRT, and surrounded by some of Taipei’s most interesting old streets and night market areas.
But the best way to enjoy Longshan Temple is not to visit it alone. Combine it with Bopiliao Historic Block, Herb Alley, Qingshan Temple, Huaxi Street Night Market, and Ximending. This gives you a much richer view of Taipei’s old city culture.
If you want to explore Longshan Temple with a local guide, Justaiwantour can customize a Taipei private tour based on your travel style, pace, food preferences, and hotel location.
FAQ About Longshan Temple in Taipei
What are the best things to do around Longshan Temple?
The best things to do around Longshan Temple include visiting Herb Alley, Bopiliao Historic Block, Qingshan Temple, Qingshui Temple, Huaxi Street Night Market, traditional Wanhua streets, and Ximending.
How long do you need around Longshan Temple?
You need around 30–45 minutes for Longshan Temple only. If you want to explore nearby attractions, food streets, and night markets, plan around 3–4 hours.
Is Longshan Temple free to visit?
Yes, Longshan Temple is generally free to enter. Visitors can make small donations or offerings if they wish.
What MRT station is closest to Longshan Temple?
The closest MRT station is Longshan Temple Station on Taipei MRT’s Blue Line. From the station, it is only a short walk to the temple.
Can I visit Longshan Temple and Ximending together?
Yes. Longshan Temple and Ximending are both in Wanhua District. You can visit Longshan Temple first, then continue to Bopiliao Historic Block, Huaxi Street Night Market, and Ximending.
Is Longshan Temple better during the day or night?
Both are good. Daytime is better for architecture and photos, while evening is better if you want to combine the temple with Huaxi Street Night Market and nearby food streets.
Is Longshan Temple good for a Taipei private tour?
Yes. Longshan Temple is one of the best stops for a Taipei private tour because it combines religion, architecture, local culture, old streets, markets, and nearby food areas.
Conclusion: Is Longshan Temple Worth Visiting?
Longshan Temple is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you want to experience the historic, cultural, and local side of Taipei. More than just a famous temple, this area is the heart of old Wanhua, where traditional worship, local markets, historic streets, herbal shops, night market food, and everyday Taipei life all come together.
For first-time visitors, the best way to enjoy Longshan Temple is not to visit the temple only. Combine it with nearby attractions such as Herb Alley, Bopiliao Historic Block, Qingshan Temple, Huaxi Street Night Market, and Ximending. This gives you a much deeper understanding of old Taipei and makes the area one of the best cultural walking routes in the city.
If you are looking for the best things to do around Longshan Temple, plan at least half a day in Wanhua. Start with Longshan Temple, explore the old streets nearby, try local food around Huaxi Street, and end your route in Ximending for shopping, snacks, and nightlife.
For travelers who prefer a smoother experience, Justaiwantour can help arrange a customized Taipei private tour that includes Longshan Temple, Wanhua, night markets, Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Dihua Street, or other Taipei highlights based on your schedule and travel style.
And that’s our guide for things to do around Longshan Temple in Taipei.
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