Wat Prang Luang วัดปรางค์หลวง is an ancient Thai Buddhist temple in Nonthaburi province, it is believed to be the oldest monastery and archaeological site in Nonthaburi and the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. It is situated along Khlong Om Non, also known as Khlong Bangkok Noi.
The temple was previously called Wat Luang วัดหลวง meaning royal temple. It was presumably built in reign of the King Ramathibodi I (U-Thong) the first monarch and founder of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, more than 650 years ago. It is believed that this location used to be his residence after the cholera evacuation, before the establishment of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
Later in the Bangkok era the name was changed to Wat Prang Luang.
The prang is old and has had redtoration wirk done to it due to the dilapidated state it was in. It has been archaeological proven to date back to the early Ayutthaya period with a different structure than the other prangs of the same period.
A principal ...
Songshan Feng-Tian Temple, also known as the Temple of Heaven, stands as one of the most important Taoist temples in Taipei, located in the Xinyi District near the iconic Four Beasts Mountains.
Dedicated primarily to the Jade Emperor, the temple has grown into a sprawling complex that serves as both a major religious center and a community landmark, blending ornate traditional southern Chinese architecture with vibrant cultural significance.
The temple’s origins date back to the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty around the 1860s, when a Chinese immigrant from Tangshan settled in a cave on Tiger Mountain and began worshiping the Jade Emperor by hanging a red silk banner and placing a stone incense burner. Local residents gradually joined the daily rituals, establishing a simple devotional site.
During the Japanese colonial period, the cave was repurposed as an air-raid shelter amid policies that suppressed traditional religious practices.
After Taiwan’s retrocession, local gentry and elders raised ...
Songshan Ciyou Temple
This temple, built in the mid-18th century, is the cradle of development of the Songshan district. The story goes that a monk once roamed this area, carrying a gilded image of Mazu, Goddess of the Sea, as he begged for alms. One day at Xikou—the old name for this district—the monk came upon a number of people, all Mazu believers, from his old home. Together they planned construction of a temple to honor the goddess, and after raising funds for more than 10 years they were able to realize their dream. Construction started in 1753 and was completed in 1757.
The top of the temple roof is richly ornamented; in addition to human figures, there is also a flying dragon placed there because dragons were believed to have the power to prevent fires.
Inside the temple are layer after layer of oil lamps lighted by devotees in the hope that Mazu will grant their wishes. The side altar to the right of the Mazu image enshrines the Earth God, who is protected on either side by ...
The Tamsui Old Street 淡水老街 is a street in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan.
Tamsui Old Street, also known as Danshui Old Street, is a pedestrian zone located in the Tamsui District, near the red line MRT station of the same name.
It is a boardwalk-like area by the riverfront filled with shops, carnival games, restaurants, cafés, and local snacks. The street is accessible within walking distance from Tamsui Station of Taipei Metro.
While the exact street designated as “Old Street” is not clearly marked, the area collectively referred to as “Tamsui Old Street” includes multiple streets and alleys around the MRT station and river, with lots of shops and food stalls.
The shops generally open in the afternoon and stay open until midnight, offering a variety of local delicacies such as A-gei, iron eggs, and fried squid.
The whole area is fun to see. You can walk along the river, shop for local foods or explore some of the historic sites in the area. A place you should visit if ...
