Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Walking Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours 15 minutes

Mobile ticket

This tip-based walking tour uncovers the essence of Taiwanese culture at Taipei's ancient Longshan Temple, a 300-year-old treasure nestled in the heart of the city's oldest district. Dive deep into the beginning of Taipei, the true Taiwanese way of life, the captivating tales of our folk gods, and their role in shaping the lives of Taiwanese believers.

Dive into the rich fabric of Taiwanese culture and history. Discover how our ancestors thrived in Taiwan and how they treated illnesses without doctors. Our guide will show you how to throw 'moonstones' and interpret messages from the heavens. Get your fortune read and learn about the temple's long history and the traditions of Buddhism and Taoism that have made it a beloved place for centuries.

Please note the tip to the tour guide is not included in the booking fee.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Bangka Park

Used to be the center of Taipei

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Bopiliao Ancient Street

The community of Bopiliao was firstly formed back in early Qing Dynasty. Since then, its history evolves as Taiwan went through different eras, from Qing Dynasty, Japanese colonization, to early Post World War II period. Situated in one of the most prosperous areas, Mengjia, architecture in Bopiliao reflects different culture of which it was built. The area is uniquely representative of once flourishing Mengjia.

20 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Cultural storytelling

Join if you are late or lost:

Local Guide

Gratuities

Dinner

Options

Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Walking Tour

Reviews

4.80

25 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A great walking tour of beautiful temple!
itisjyo,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
One of the interesting tours that you can take! I enjoyed learning about early Taipei, Chinese mythology, and how the locals worship at Longshan Temple. The tour guide did a great job and if you are visiting Taipei, definitey recommend this walking tour company. I took 3 walking tours with them for different parts of Taipei and each walking tour was very interesting and learnt so much more about Taipei.
A pleasant walking tour around Longshan Temple
C9234HV ,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I felt happy with the tour. Lina introduced the history clearly. Also, she managed time well.I live in Taipei, strongly recommend the tour.
Nice introduction to temple and neighborhood
vlerch,,Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Roro was an excellent guide. This 1 1/2 - 2 hour walking tour of the temple and surrounding original neighborhood of Taipei was an excellent taste of the city and well worth the suggested tip-based cost. Had we been staying longer in Taipei I would have liked to take one or more of this group’s other tours.
Fun temple tour
nohe812,,Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Fun short tour of the original Taipei and its oldest temple. Ale was a good tour guide. As an immigrant herself to Taiwan, that gave her tour a unique perspective and twist on her explanations of Taiwanese religion, especially since our group was raised mostly Catholic.
Competent guide but conditions that are unsatisfactory
mjd332018,,May 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
Our guide, available and helpful, was a valuable source of information about the temple, and it helped us better understand the practices of the Taiwanese today as well as yesterday. She clearly explained rather complex concepts and was able to answer all questions. She introduced us to a small market, a second much smaller temple, and an old neighborhood as well as the great Longshan temple. If we did not rate the visit better, it was because the very large number of people who participated in the visit prevented us from enjoying the experience. We thought we had a very small group (about ten people) and in fact we were about thirty (at least 37). Travelling around was complicated, it was difficult to hear what she was saying without getting close to her (despite her small microphone), and it was awkward to gather around the guide with microphone in the middle of a place where people practiced their religion in such a pious way (it really made the group of Western tourists very insensitive to the local culture). The pressure, on the site, in emails, and by the guide, to pay between 12-15 euros minimum per person was also disappointing in the context of a so-called "free/tips-based" tour. This way of doing business (payment pressure, number of participants) of TourMeAway was indeed different from other organizations that offer similar services (beware that the more responsible organizations still sent interested persons to this tour conducted with TourMeAway). Reviewing the conditions of the tour could perhaps guarantee a better return for the guides, as desertions during the tour were numerous, and we found it incorrect that many people left without thanking (by a word, or by the gesture of tip), our guide who made so much effort.
Excellent free temple tour
tinkr2,,Feb 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Marina was our tour guide and she was a very good storyteller. We had a large group that she kept control of well. She did a nice job explaining the basics of the religions and answered lots of questions. She moved at a fast pace which was great bc it kept us focused. I loved her explaining the red strings to find love which was perfect for Valentine's Day.
Good
marinacova,,Feb 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
It was a very good,informative tour. Alejandra knows a lot about history and religion and she helped us with red tokens (jiaobei) how to toss them and interpret, including the fortune telling with wooden sticks. It was very interesting. The only negative feeling was about her reminding us 3 or 4 times that despite the fact that the tour is free, it's always welcome to leave the tip over 400tn. I know it's not common to tip in Asia,however, most travelers know that this is a type of tip service, and most of the time will tip. Maybe its just me and it's necessary to remind in taiwan. Overall i would recommend the tour.
A Historical and Religious Journey
Happiness13792067575,,Aug 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great tour! I’ve been to temples before, but did not know how to walk through them or participate. This tour answered all of my questions and gave us an opportunity to learn about this unique religious experience. Also, you get a glimpse into old Taipei!
Fascinating introduction to Taipei
90JenN,,Aug 2, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Manu was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and a great storyteller. I enjoyed learning about early Taipei, Chinese mythology, and how the locals worship at Longshan Temple. It was very hot and he generously got us samples of iced herbal tea and iced wintermelon tea at a tea stall. Must-do tour your if you're new to Taipei.
Fantastic temple tour
ashfrick,,Jun 16, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Sun was a wonderful tour guide. We learned about the history of the neighborhood, the temple, the gods and a little bit about Taoism… very informative and fun tour. Thank you!