Bao'an Temple

The Basics

Many local Taiwanese visit the fully functioning temple to pray for health and wellness, particularly with pregnant women. Besides Paosheng, you’ll find a shrine to the goddess of birth with her 12 aides inside the temple bell tower. All the wood and stone used to build the temple were brought from China, and the structure exhibits many of the typical characteristics of Chinese temple architecture, like the wooden dragon pillars and colorful wooden carvings.

Many sightseeing tours of Taipei include a stop at the temple, and it’s also a stop on the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. If you want to ensure the temple is included in your itinerary, consider booking a private tour with your own dedicated guide.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Bao’an Temple is a must-visit for spiritual travelers and those interested in local culture.
• Remember to dress respectfully and speak in a low voice, as this is an active place of worship.
• There is no admission fee to enter the temple.

How to Get There

Bao’an Temple is in Taipei’s Dalongdong Cultural and Historical District, next door to the Taipei Confucius Temple. To get there, take the MRT Red Line to Yuanshan Station and leave through Exit 2. It’s a short walk down Kulun Street to the temple.

When to Get There

If possible, plan your visit during a temple festival to see Bao’an Temple at its best and most colorful. The yearly Baosheng Cultural Festival, which takes place between April and June, features a range of traditional performing arts.

Taipei’s Top Temples

Taipei is home to numerous temples, but there are two (besides Bao’an) that deserve a spot on any itinerary. Perhaps the most famous is the Longshan Temple, known for its traditional Taiwanese architecture. The Minnan-style Taipei Confucius Temple offers insight into the Confucius religion. Bao’an tends to be less crowded than Longshan Temple and much more colorful than the Taipei Confucius Temple.