Standing on Tamsui Old Street, Tamsui's Qingshui Temple is not as magnificent as that in Sanxia. Neither is it an ancient temple since it only has a history less than one hundred years. Yet before the temple was built, the deity statue traveling across the sea from Mainland China had performed loads of miracles, either responding to people's prayers or protecting people in Tamsui. After several twists and turns, Tamsui Qingshui Temple was finally completed on today's Zhongzheng Road, functioning as Tamsui's business and religious center. The most exciting event about the temple was the annual Tamsui Procession. On the 5th and 6th day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, groups of pilgrims from all over Taiwan are packing into Tamsui Old Street to join the procession. The city center is thus under a traffic control. Vehicles are not allowed in the area, while believers forming a procession light firecrackers, play music, and carry the palanquin to reach the Qingshui Temple. Standing in front of the temple, you can see lion dance, jitongs (a spirit medium, 乩童), and Ba Jia Jiang (members of God from Chinese folk beliefs and myths, 八家將) performing one after another, from morning till midnight. Even the Dajia Mazu Procession or Yanshui Beehive Fireworks cannot overshadow the lively atmosphere.
How to get there: 5mins walk from Tamsui station to QingshuiTemple. (Use google map)