Upper terraces
The whole lake.
lienyuan lee — CC BY 3.0 · lienyuan lee — CC BY 3.0 · gadgetdude — CC BY 2.0 · lienyuan lee — CC BY 3.0
A grand temple on the hillside above Sun Moon Lake's north shore, built when the lake rose after a Japanese-era hydroelectric dam flooded two older temples, which were merged into one. It was later rebuilt in its present form in the style of northern Chinese palaces, honouring the philosopher Confucius and the general Guan Yu. Two giant red lions greet visitors at the entrance, then three halls climb the hill one after another, with gold and orange tiled roofs and red columns carved with dragons. Students come to pray for success in their exams. Its finest feature is the setting: from the upper terraces the whole lake opens out between the hills, with the temple's tiered roofs in front, and a long stairway behind leads down to the shore. Entry is free, reached by the lake bus and boats. Temples are living places of worship: dress modestly, speak quietly and do not photograph worshippers up close.
The whole lake.
Tiered.
At the gate.
North shore of Sun Moon Lake
When the lake rose after the dam was built, two old temples were flooded and merged into this new one on the hill.
