普陀山白衣道場

March 22nd, 2015

Pǔtuóshān White Temple (普陀山白衣道場) is one of the more unusual temples I have visited in Taiwan. Named after Putuoshan, one of the holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism, and dedicated to the worship of Guanyin (觀音), Goddess of Mercy, it appears to have been built in 2004. Apart from these basic details it seems like very little is known about this mysterious temple.

The main hall at Putuoshan White Temple in Nanhua, Tainan.

Most temples in Taiwan are open to the public and welcome visitors. Not this one! Very little information apart from a phone number can be found online—and even Taiwanese bloggers express befuddlement that such a beautiful and eye-catching temple would maintain such secrecy. Why attract all that attention if you aren’t going to be at all inviting?

Pulling into the parking lot at the white temple.

A closer look at the side of the temple from below.

I was out on a mission to the badlands of southern Taiwan when I noticed the gleaming white temple on the mountainside while rounding a bend in the highway. After sidling up the hillside to a parking spot about halfway up I disembarked to explore the temple grounds.

Looking north from the ledge in front of the main hall.

A ghostly white temple on the edge of the badlands in Taiwan.

Curiously, there wasn’t anyone around whatsoever—and all the doors were locked. The place looked entirely vacant but not abandoned. Peering through the glass doors I could see candles lit inside—and small tufts of smoke wafter out of the censer in front of the main hall. I walked around and took a few photos before hitting the road again.

The view of the surrounding countryside from in front of the main hall. You can see the badlands on the horizon here.

Putuoshan White Temple from the roadside. Not exactly the most inviting place.

For more about this temple you’ll have to turn to the Chinese language blogosphere here, here, here. If anyone out there with better Chinese language abilities would like to do some additional research into this place feel free to leave a comment with your findings.