Lion’s Head Mountain: Quanhua Temple 獅頭山勸化堂

Leaving The City Behind

No matter if you’re coming from Hsinchu or even Taipei, Lion’s Head Mountain (獅頭山) makes for the perfect day trip from the city. Straddling the border of Hsinchu and Miaoli counties, Quanhua Temple (勸化堂) (also spelled Chuanhua) is carefully nestled into the mountainside. Quanhua Temple is one of the 11 temples that call Lion’s Head Mountain home. But what makes this holy site so unique that you’d hike up slippery stone steps to visit it?

Lion’s Head Mountain’s Quanhua Temple is massive. Many of the other shrines and temples that reside on the mountain are actually under the administration of this temple. It’s not only the elaborate roofs and breathtaking designs that will have you strapping up your boots to visit Quanhua Temple, but the views of the surrounding countryside are nothing short of stunning.

If you’re wanting to see Hsinchu really come alive, be sure not to miss the Ghost Month Temple Fair!

Getting to Quanhua Temple

Without your own transportation, getting to Quanhua Temple is easier said than done. On top of that, even though you may arrive at Lion’s Head Mountain, how can you be sure that you arrive on the right side of the mountain?

The 5700 Bus leaves from Zhubei Liujia HSR Station to Lion’s Head Mountain, but if you’re looking to travel specifically to Quanhua Temple, you’ll wind up on the wrong side of the mountain. Hiking trails lead to the temple, but it will be towards the end of your journey not counting the return trip.

The most direct route to Quanhua Temple is by starting in Zhunan and taking the 5805A Bus towards Nanzhuang. Be sure to get off at the Shioutshan stop (Lion’s Head Mountain). You’ll be exiting the bus at the historic gate to the mountain, not by the new Visitor Center located on the opposite side. The bus journey takes about 1.5 hours and the fare is around 72 NTD (2.28 USD)

Looking for other unique temples in Hsinchu? Why not check out Putian Temple?

Exploring the Temple

After carefully watching your footing as you slowly make your way up the base of the mountain, you’ll find yourself finally arriving at Quanhua Temple. With the looming peak stretching up behind the towering temple, continuing to put one foot in front of the other may seem like a daunting task. But once you start exploring each of the levels of the temple, curiosity will give you your second wind.

Before entering the temple itself, you’re sure to be taken by the pagoda perched in front of Quanhua Temple. The columbarium is known as Chaoshengbao Tower (超昇寶塔). The tower has been housing remains since the Japanese occupation of Taiwan. Quanhua Temple is unique in the fact that every corner has outlandish sculptures and over-the-top designs. From poorly carved lions to pure gold buddhas, there is no telling what you may come across within this temple’s walls.

If you’re looking to get outside more, be sure to bike to Hsinchu’s Tofu Rocks!

Gems in a Crown

Quanhua Temple has a history stretching back over one hundred years. Constructed as early as 1897, the majority of this temple was built into a cave in the side of Lion’s Head Mountain. Over the years, the temple has had its peaks and declines. With encouragement from local governments, they molded the surrounding area to be a tourist attraction to ensure blood was still pumping into this religiously important site.

Each level of Quanhua Temple and every shrine along the hiking trails are all like gems in a crown. Futian Temple (輔天宮), however, shines the brightest. Although this is one of the only halls that are not built into the side of the mountain, Futian Temple and Ziyang Gate (紫陽門) are regarded as some of the most spiritually important sites in the complex.

Want something truly off the beaten path to do in Hsinchu? Head over to the Hsinchu Military Cultural Park!

Continuing the Journey

Quanhua Temple is just the beginning of your journey at Lion’s Head Mountain. The Kaishan Temple Trail continues the trip past the main hall and deeper into the forest. Even though you’ll be leaving the wide courtyards behind, the well-maintained stone paths make the trail easy, even for beginner hikers.

No matter if you decide to take the Kaishan Temple Trail (開善寺步道) from Quanhua or head straight up the Shishan Historic Trail (狮山古道), both of the routes end up at the peak of the mountain. The Kaishan Trail takes travelers past Sheli Cave (舍利洞), Kaishan Temple (開善寺), Lingyun Cave (凌雲洞), and finally up to the Sun-viewing Pavillion (觀日亭). From the Sun-viewing Pavillion, the trial loops back to connect with the Shishan Historic Trail.

You can explore a different side of Taiwanese culture by checking out a baseball game in Hsinchu!

Journey to Lion’s Head

One of the great things about Lion’s Head Mountain is that there are so many different ways to tackle the trails. No matter if you start from the Historic Gate or the Visitor’s Center, you’ll still be able to cover every inch of the mountain. There is no doubt, however, that Quanhua Temple will be one of the highlights of your trek.

While all of the other temples are quaint in their own right, nothing quite captures the extravagance of Taiwanese culture like Quanhua Temple. The entire experience of hiking the trails encompasses everything great about the culture of this country. From the down-to-earth farming monks at Yunagunag Temple to the loud colors of Quanhua Temple. Lion’s Head Mountain is uniquely Taiwanese.

You can find even more fun day trips in Hsinchu here!