Here's an overview of some of my recommended temples to visit in and around Taipei.
Bishanyan Kaizhang Shengwang Temple
There are a lot of cool hallways here and a huge balcony with panoramic views of the city. It's a bit up the mountain but buses from the MRT run up here pretty regularly.
📍 Address: No. 24, Bishan Road, Neihu District, Taipei City, 114
Chih Nan Temple
It's pretty nice at night here and the area in general has a lot of potential for good shots if you can take advantage of foot traffic and different building displays.
📍 Address: No. 14號, Section 1, Wuchang St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100
Fufudingshan Shell and Coral Temple
This is a beautiful but controversial temple in SanZhi District, Taiwan. It's made entirely from corals and shells. The god it honors was a folk hero from the Song Dynasty.
📍 Address: 252新北市三芝區69號
GuanDu Temple
This is one of Taipei's most epic temples. Nearby there's a little village near the water with lots of vendors. As you approach the temple there are small shops with Joss paper and other things you can use to make offerings to the gods.
📍 Address: No. 360, Zhixing Road, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112
Hongludi Nanshan Fude Temple
This is a fun temple to walk around because it has many sections that steadily lead you up the side of a mountain. Night views here are pretty good but slightly obstructed.
📍 Address: No. 160-1號, Lane 399, Section 2, Xingnan Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, 235
LongShan Temple
This temple is pretty epic inside and popular among tourists. Outside it is a red light district and basically Taiwan's version of Skid Row (but not dangerous at all).
📍 Address: No. 211, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, 10853
Songshan Ci Hui Temple
There's two temples here both of which are elaborately decorated with tons of goodies inside. Not only that but if you go around back there's a nice hiking trail leading along Elephant Mountain.
📍 Address: No. 33號, Lane 251, Fude Street, Xinyi District, Taipei City, 110
Taiping Temple
This temple provides a nice view of Xindain District which is a great place for exploring and shooting. Nearby is Bitan Bridge with a nice riverside and quite a few hiking trails.
📍 Address: No. 61號, Taiping Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City, 231
Taiwan Provincial City God Temple
This temple is a perfect visit after a day in Maokong. The lanterns here are beautiful and the view of the city is one that's hard to find anywhere else. This was one of my favorite spots to spend a lonely Sunday night.
📍 Address: No. 115, Wanshou Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City, 116
Taipei KoXingGa Temple
This is a temple with an excellent view between Shilin and NeiHu District. The temple itself isn't anything too crazy, but the view it provides more than compensates.
📍 Address: No. 231, Jiannan Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, 111
Taipei Tianhou Temple
Right in the heart of Ximen is this wonderful temple with cool lanterns and a nice fish pond. I'd recommend photographers in a rush to visit this place if what you're after is strictly great photos.
📍 Address: No. 51, Chengdu Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, 10844
WuFu Temple (艋舺五福宮)
This is a chill temple where grandpas hang out drinking and smoking. The lanterns and decorations make for great portrait backdrops. Plus it's right around the corner from some real beautiful artwork in Ximen.
📍 Address: No. 159號, Section 1, Huanhe South Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, 108
ZhiShan Temple
Epic statues and lanterns cover a huge staircase leading up to this temple. There's a big courtyard with a nice city view up top.
📍 Address: 111, Taipei City, Shilin District, 至誠路一段326巷26號