[Urban walking tour] Taipei｜Longshan Temple Food Tour｜Braised Pork Rice. Oyster omelette. Xiaolong soup dumplings

To visit Longshan Temple in Taipei, take the Taipei Metro Bannan Line (Blue Line) to "Longshan Temple Station." Exit 1 is the most convenient, with the main entrance of Longshan Temple approximately a 2-minute walk from the exit. This exit is adjacent to Longshan Temple Park and surrounded by many food stalls, making it easy for you to enjoy local delicacies before or after your visit.

Several bus routes can take you to Longshan Temple in Taipei. You can search for buses heading to "Longshan Temple (Kanding)" or "Longshan Temple (Xiyuan)" stations, such as routes 18, 38, 234, 265, 673, 705, and 907. It's just a few minutes' walk after disembarking. We recommend using the Taipei City Bus Real-time Information System to find the most suitable routes and schedules.

Taipei's Longshan Temple's main deity is Guanyin Bodhisattva, and it is a historic Buddhist temple. The temple also enshrines deities from Taoism and Confucianism, including over a hundred statues of Mazu, Wenchang Dijun, and Guansheng Dijun, among others. For this reason, it's also known as a 'department store of deities,' catering to the diverse religious needs of worshippers and embodying a unique blend of multiple faiths.

When praying at the Yue Lao shrine, it's customary to prepare offerings like candies, red dates, and longan. These sweet items symbolize sweetness in relationships and early progeny. During your prayer, you can state your name, age, address, and desired partner's qualities to Yue Lao. You can then ask for a red thread by tossing the筊 (jiao, divination blocks). If you receive a favorable result, you can pass the red thread over the incense burner and carry it with you to wish for a good romantic relationship and harmonious interpersonal connections.

Taipei's Longshan Temple was founded in the third year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1738) and is a designated Grade II historic site in Taiwan. It blends traditional Quanzhou architecture with Japanese Western styles and features exquisite carving artistry. The temple is not only a religious center but also a spiritual anchor and cultural gathering place for local residents. Having undergone numerous repairs and reconstructions, it carries rich historical memories and cultural value, thus earning its widespread fame.

For a food tour around Longshan Temple, Huaxi Street Night Market offers many Michelin-recommended street foods. Must-tries include the aromatic braised pork rice, the crispy outside and tender inside oyster omelets, and the flavorful soup dumplings. Additionally, there's cuttlefish soup, medicinal braised pork ribs, and fresh stir-fried cuttlefish. These are all excellent choices for experiencing authentic Taiwanese flavors and immersing yourself in a unique culinary culture.

In addition to Huaxi Street Night Market, Guangzhou Street Night Market and Wuzhou Street Night Market are also great places to enjoy authentic local delicacies. These night markets offer a variety of Taiwanese snacks such as sweet potato balls, fish ball skewers, meat dumplings, and sweet herbal jelly soup. In the morning, the surrounding breakfast shops provide traditional Taiwanese breakfast items like rice balls and egg crepes, allowing you to experience the diverse local food culture.

The walking tours of Taipei's Longshan Temple are led by professional English-speaking guides who provide in-depth insights into the temple's worship culture, historical background, and exquisite architectural art. The itinerary also includes a visit to Huaxi Street to sample Michelin-rated street food, such as braised pork rice, oyster omelets, and soup dumplings, allowing you to fully enjoy Taiwan's unique culinary charm while exploring its rich history and culture.