Locals take you into the secret realm of time in Hualien 👉🏻Qingxiu Temple
Speaking of the "Qingxiu Temple" in Ji'an Township, Hualien, for us locals, it is not a popular check-in attraction, but a "time secret place" with a historical atmosphere, a place that quietly guards local beliefs and culture. Many outsiders come to Hualien for the mountain and sea scenery of Taroko, or the lively food of Dongdamen Night Market, but if you want to experience the more restrained side of Hualien people's life, then you must not miss the "Qingxiu Temple".
📌The origin of Qingxiu Temple: From a shelter for the Japanese to a microcosm of local culture
The history of Qingxiu Temple should be told from the Japanese colonial period. In 1917, Japanese immigrants came to the then "Yoshino Village" (now Ji'an Township). In order to settle their souls in a foreign land, they built this Japanese Buddhist temple, originally named "Yoshino Mission". Later, under the leadership of a monk, Kawabata Manjiro, it became the belief center of the local Japanese and was renamed "Qingxiu Temple".
At that time, in addition to worshipping Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, many Japanese religious cultures were also integrated here, such as "writing sutras", "amulets", "divine fortunes", "hand-washing rituals", etc. Although the Japanese left after the restoration, this temple remained and was preserved by the people of Hualien, becoming one of the few Japanese Buddhist buildings in Hualien that are completely preserved.
👉🏻Walking into Qingxiuyuan is like walking into Japan a hundred years ago
Although the current Qingxiuyuan is a cultural asset, it still retains the quiet religious atmosphere. Coming in from the outside, you will first pass through rows of stone tablets. These are the "offering tablets" donated by believers at that time, with names and prayers engraved on them. Then you will see the main hall of the Japanese wooden building, with tall eaves and old tiles, but it is very clean. The most interesting thing is the "wind chimes" hanging under the eaves. When the wind blows over, it will make a crisp sound, which sounds like it blows away all the troubles.
There is also a "scripture writing area" inside, allowing you to experience the meditation ritual of writing Buddhist scriptures with a brush; there are also amulets and lottery poems for sale next to it. Many people come here specifically to pray for good luck or peace. In the small pool of "washing hands", you can follow the Japanese purification ritual, wash your left hand first, then your right hand, symbolizing the washing away of worldly thoughts, before entering the main hall to worship.
👉🏻Not a tourist attraction, but a part of life
For us locals, Keishuin is not a tourist "attraction", but a place where we will come to worship silently when we are upset, luck is changing, or when we face choices in life. Especially before exams or before changing jobs, many people come here to pray for smooth sailing, and even bring their children to ask for amulets.
Sometimes when I come here for a walk on weekends, I will also meet the nearby grandmas chatting, or volunteer uncles helping to tidy up the environment. Everyone cherishes this place very much, without making noise or noise, so that this place always maintains a peaceful and powerful atmosphere.
👉🏻How to play best? Slow down, calm down, and feel it. If this is your first time here, it is recommended not to rush. Walk slowly, look slowly, try to write a scripture, draw a fortune, or sit on a wooden chair by the courtyard and stare blankly, watching the wind chimes swinging, and let your mind go. This is the most beautiful way to visit Qingxiu Temple. There are also "Ji'an Qingxiu Old Street" and some local snack shops nearby, such as old-fashioned tofu pudding, black tea ice, bomb scallion pancakes, etc. You might as well arrange a half-day slow tour to experience history while enjoying the daily "slow" life of Hualien people. The last sentence: Qingxiu Temple is not big, but it can hold the thoughts of many people. Qingxiu Temple is not big, and it only takes about ten minutes to walk around. But even such an inconspicuous little place can always make people feel at ease and at ease. This is its charm, and why, as a local in Hualien, I always recommend friends, relatives, and even foreign travelers to come and take a trip. Qingxiu Temple is not just a temple, but more like a memory of a time
A kind of power quietly accompanying the hearts of Hualien people☺️
#5月好去地方2025