History

Timeline

1891	Representatives of Manka Lungshan Temple travel to worship the parent temple in Anhai, Fujian Province.
1894	Sino-Japanese War breaks out, leading to cession of Taiwan to Japan. Under Japanese rule, Lungshan Temple was frequently used as temporary housing for government offices and schools.
1897	Powerful earthquake hits Taipei, but Lungshan Temple is largely undamaged. The temple’s statue of Guanyin is paraded through the streets to pray for the well-being of local residents.
1908	Urban planning project requires a road to be built through the site of Shuixian Shrine. Statues of King Shuixian (god of seafarers) and Chenghuangye (a sort of “netherworld mayor”) are moved into Lungshan Temple.
1919	With paint peeling away and termites infesting the wood, funds are raised for a renovation.
1924	Renovation project is completed.
1938	Repainting of the temple is begun.
1940	Repainting project is completed.
1942	Manka Lungshan Temple gazetteer is completed.
1946	Military police use temple as school for teaching spoken Mandarin as well as Chinese reading and writing.
1947	Local residents ask Taipei Culture Promotion Association and the Taiwan Provincial Police School to jointly establish a school at the temple for teaching spoken Mandarin as well as Chinese reading and writing.
1949	Chinese language school is closed down and most of the temple’s west-side buildings are converted into military housing.
1950	Chinese Medicine Department of the National Mutual Help Association establishes a clinic within the temple precincts. 1951 Taipei City Government declares Lungshan Temple an Historic Site.
1952	Temple management appeals to the national and municipal governments to have the military housing moved away from the temple for the sake of preserving and restoring the historical site. After the military housing is moved away, a decision is made to rebuild the main pavilion。
1953	Reconstruction of the main pavilion begins.
1959	The main pavilion is completed. A famous monk is invited to preside over the “eye opening ceremony” for the main statue.
1962	Work commences on renovation of damaged parts of the front and read pavilions. Hawkers in the front courtyard are moved to the park.
1966	“Eye opening” ceremony is held. Director of Tourism Bureau oversees preparation of plan for reorganizing streets in the area around Manka Lungshan Temple.
1968	New archway, outer wall, and scripture chanting hall are built.
1972	Archways, outer walls, and scripture chanting hall of the front and rear pavilions are renovated.
1973	Manka Lungshan Temple establishes scholarship, donates money to needy families, provides financial assistance to orphanage.
1974	Old fish pond on west side is renovated. Contract for white brick wall is awarded, and work begins. Mediation committee is established to mediate the demolition of illegal houses in front of Dizang Temple.
1978	Manka Lungshan Temple selected as one othe four top tourist destinations in Taiwan.
1979	Ward Office instructs temple to register as a protected landmark.
1980	All temple properties along Wuzhou Street are destroyed in a fire. Repainting of the main pavilion begins.
1982	Fire destroys King Wenchang Pavilion, and reconstruction starts soon thereafter.
1983	Reconstruction of King Wenchang Pavilion is completed.
1984	Manka Lungshan Temple Library is opened.
1985	Ministry of the Interior designates Manka Lungshan Temple as National Class 2 Historical Site. King Dizang Temple is designated as Class 3 Historical Site.

(Source: Published materials marking the 250th anniversary of Manka Lungshan Temple)