The Spider Web Ceiling of Lukang Longshan Temple

Built under the Qing Dynasty, the Lukang Longshan Temple is the largest temple in Lukang and a popular attraction among locals and tourists. 

It was originally built near the historic port canal and was later moved to its current location in Lukang Township. In 1786 works began to make it even bigger and it now measures 9,600 square feet.

The temple complex is made up of four main sections – the Main Gate, Hall of the Five Gates, Main Hall, and Rear Hall – and two enclosed yards. It has become such an essential site to the town that the Taiwanese Ministry of Culture declared it a national heritage site. 

The temple houses a shrine to the Bodhisattva Guanyin, goddess of mercy and compassion, and remains a popular place of worship for Mahayana Buddhists.    

Visitors also come to see the incredible wall murals, woodcarvings, architecture and its colorful ceiling. The Lukang Longshan Temple has the largest caisson ceiling in Taiwan – a spider web design typical in East Asia.  

The caisson ceiling is made of wood and ornately painted in vibrant colors. They are normally found in temples and palaces. This particular one is the largest in Taiwan.