Songshan Ciyou Temple

Traveler highlights

Songshan Ciyou Temple, formerly known as Xikou Mazu Temple, was founded in 1757 and has long served as the religious center of the thirteen settlements of Xikou. It stands beside Raohe Street Night Market. In the past, a port on the Keelung River allowed goods to travel by water, and the area in front of the temple was a gathering point for porters and boat passengers; the surrounding streets grew from this river trade. Inside, a courtyard-like plan, the three-stream entrance with five gates, and three successive halls create a deep progression through the temple. The three-tiered main hall, gilded and painted dougong brackets, dragon columns, and Koji pottery details reflect craftsmanship from different periods. Inscriptions include “Benefit Reaching the Heavens,” dating to the Qianlong era. The rear Lingxiao Hall rises six levels, emphasizing the temple’s vertical scale. The temple is dedicated chiefly to Mazu and also enshrines Guanyin, the Goddess of Fertility, and Tudigong, linking neighborhood worship and everyday life in Songshan. It offers a way to understand Xikou’s river trade, local beliefs, and the development of its market streets.