Xuanzhuang Temple
Xuanzhuang Temple
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
214 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
96
Average
44
Poor
2
Terrible
1
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Jiaoxi, Yilan225 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
My girlfriend and I visited this beautiful temple last year, and we stayed at a nice hotel in Nantou's Sun Moon Lake.
It wasn't as big as the other new temples in Taiwan, such as Dharma Drum Mountain or Fo Guang Mountain, but it praises the most well known Chinese monk, also the main character of the "Journey to the West," Venerable Xuanzhuang Master of the Tang Dynasty.
He is one of the four top Buddhism Sutra Translators, and in my mind, the only worthy mention of a real Chinese monk.
Inside the temple holds his relics, believed to be the top of his skull, and is kept in close watch.
I loved the environment and the serenity the temple brought.
Namo Amitofo T_T
It wasn't as big as the other new temples in Taiwan, such as Dharma Drum Mountain or Fo Guang Mountain, but it praises the most well known Chinese monk, also the main character of the "Journey to the West," Venerable Xuanzhuang Master of the Tang Dynasty.
He is one of the four top Buddhism Sutra Translators, and in my mind, the only worthy mention of a real Chinese monk.
Inside the temple holds his relics, believed to be the top of his skull, and is kept in close watch.
I loved the environment and the serenity the temple brought.
Namo Amitofo T_T
Written April 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yonah
Seattle, WA63 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
If you have an interest in Buddhism and the history of the monk this venerates, it might be interesting. Otherwise, not much to see. There were some unaffiliated cult folk forcibly passing out flyers which was annoying, but that isn’t the temple’s fault.
Written December 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve K
New Taipei, Taiwan702 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
The cafe up the back of the hill behind the temple. Best coffee for 100 kilometres in any direction. And great views. And lovely proprietors. Expensive, but still good value.
You can drive your car up, and should as the parking is better than on the road in front of the temple.
You can drive your car up, and should as the parking is better than on the road in front of the temple.
Written January 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VKhellokitty
Singapore, Singapore22 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
Many steps to climb to summit but well worth for the view and to learn about the story of Xuan Zhang.
Written December 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shannonskene
Singapore, Singapore71 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
Hiked up here one morning. It's so peaceful sitting here, very quiet and peaceful place with the Buddhist music playing in the background. The view here is good and there is very little tourist groups so can take pics unobstructed. The little shop offers free tea as well. Good if you like some quiet time out.
Written August 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CriticalParrot
London, UK319 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
We drove around Sun Moon Lake during our visit and came by this temple on our travels.
It is well shaded with plenty of trees and covered seating areas with good views over the lake. It was quite serene sitting up here and we stopped to enjoy the view for quite a while in the end.
The temple seems to be more of a working temple so demands a bit more respect than others you may visit in Taiwan but is still very tourist friendly. They have some panels explaining the history of the building and a relic brought back by the master of temple is on display within the temple.
It is well shaded with plenty of trees and covered seating areas with good views over the lake. It was quite serene sitting up here and we stopped to enjoy the view for quite a while in the end.
The temple seems to be more of a working temple so demands a bit more respect than others you may visit in Taiwan but is still very tourist friendly. They have some panels explaining the history of the building and a relic brought back by the master of temple is on display within the temple.
Written January 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prijac
Brussels, Belgium68 contributions
Jun 2016
this temple is located on the top of the hill, if you dont have a travel vehicle, you can only walk from the bottom to the top.. a total of 1km+ of stairs!!! but after u reach this place, you will know that it is worth the walk
Written November 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C_C_W0ng
HCMC12 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Interesting temple to visit. Master XuanZang is the monk who spent 17 years travelling India in the 7th century and translated volumes of Buddhist scriptures into Mandarin. His translation of the Heart Sutra is still the undisputed version til today. His work helped to spread Buddhism even further in China. The temple has XuanZang's remains (crystal remains) on display. Certainly a good place to visit if you are a Buddhist or just curious visitor.
Written August 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul L
Hong Kong, China160 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
It was a 800m climb from the pier. The path is paved with stone and concrete through the bush, so it is shaded but could be wet and hot. After the climb, you are rewarded with a nice view over the lake. The temple management request tourists to keep their voice down to preserve its tranquility. There is a museum tell the history of Buddhism and its different branches. It also tells the essential teaching of Buddha. Its interesting and informative.
Written August 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph L
Boca Raton, FL24 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
The temple is on the top of a hill and far away from crowd. It took more than thirty minutes to hike from the pier through a nice and quiet trail. The temple hosts relics of a legendary monk in Chinese history. One and half an hour is minimum.
Written January 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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