Where It's Located
The Taipei Taiwan Temple is located at:
256 Ai Kuo East Road
Taipei 10642, Taiwan
The temple sits on Ai-Kuo Road, just east of the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Despite its relatively small 0.5-acre property, the temple is one of the most visually prominent buildings in the surrounding urban area.
Getting There
The temple is located in central Taipei, making it relatively convenient to reach from many parts of the city.
For international travelers, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is the primary international gateway to Taipei.
Taipei's extensive MRT system makes getting around the city particularly easy, and the temple's central location means visitors can combine a temple visit with several major Taipei attractions.
The temple currently has:
- An arrival center
- Patron housing
- A distribution center
There is no visitors' center open to the public.
The First Temple in Taiwan
The Taipei Taiwan Temple was the first temple built in Taiwan and the third temple constructed in Asia.
Its construction represented a major milestone for Latter-day Saints in Taiwan and throughout Asia.
Before the temple was built, members in Taiwan had to travel outside the island to participate in temple ordinances.
A Prophetic Promise
At the first regional conference in Taiwan on August 14, 1975, President Spencer W. Kimball discussed the temple that had been announced for Tokyo, Japan.
He told the Taiwanese Saints:
"You, too, can have one."
The statement proved prophetic.
Only seven years later, the Taipei Taiwan Temple was announced.
Temple Announcement
The Taipei Taiwan Temple was announced on March 31, 1982.
The announcement came as the Church continued to expand throughout Asia.
The temple would eventually become an important center for Latter-day Saints throughout Taiwan.
The Temple Site
The temple's location has an especially interesting history.
The property had previously been home to the mission home in Taipei, which stood next to the stake center.
The mission home was demolished to make room for the temple.
Even more interestingly, President Gordon B. Hinckley later pointed out during the dedication that a prison had once stood on the temple site.
He connected that history with the spiritual purpose of temple ordinances, teaching about the Lord's power to release souls from spiritual prisons.
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking and site dedication took place on August 27, 1982.
Gordon B. Hinckley presided over the ceremony.
Construction proceeded on the compact urban property, eventually producing one of the most distinctive temple designs in Asia.
Architecture
The Taipei Taiwan Temple contains approximately 9,945 square feet.
It rises approximately 126 feet and features six detached spires topped by an Angel Moroni statue.
The exterior is finished with Empress white granite.
Despite its relatively small size, the temple's tall spires give it a much more imposing appearance.
The Blue Tile Roof
One of the temple's most distinctive architectural elements is its blue tile roof.
The design was intentionally created with respect for local architectural traditions.
The blue roof also complements the nearby National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, helping the temple fit naturally into its Taipei surroundings.
This is a particularly good example of the Church adapting temple architecture to its local environment rather than simply repeating the same design everywhere.
Six Detached Spires
The six detached spires give the Taipei Temple a unique silhouette.
Unlike a temple with one large central tower, the spires are separated from the main structure and create a series of vertical architectural elements.
The Angel Moroni statue rises above the center of the temple's overall composition.
The Temple Grounds
The temple grounds are remarkably attractive considering the property occupies only half an acre.
The landscaping includes:
- Mature trees
- Terraced landscaping
- A series of fountains
- Carefully maintained gardens
The landscaping helps separate the temple from the surrounding urban environment.
A Temple in the Middle of Taipei
One of the most interesting characteristics of the Taipei Taiwan Temple is its setting.
It isn't located on a massive suburban property.
Instead, it sits in the middle of a dense Asian capital on just 0.5 acres.
The result is a temple that rises vertically rather than spreading horizontally across a huge property.
Local Architectural Influence
The temple's design deliberately incorporates elements that complement Taipei's architectural traditions.
The blue tile roof is particularly important because it creates visual harmony with the nearby National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
That connection makes the temple feel like part of Taipei rather than an isolated foreign structure.
Public Open House
The Taipei Taiwan Temple held its public open house from October 30 through November 10, 1984.
The open house lasted 11 days and attracted more than 20,000 visitors.
Among those visitors were:
- Government officials
- Prominent business leaders
- Religious leaders from other faiths
- Members of the general public
Many visitors were sufficiently interested that they asked missionaries to visit them afterward.
Protesters at the Open House
The open house wasn't entirely without controversy.
A Protestant group from Hawaii sent protesters who attempted to disrupt the event by creating a commotion outside the temple gates.
Rather than escalating the situation, the protesters were kindly invited to tour the temple and view the informational displays.
It is an unusual detail from the temple's history and illustrates the range of reactions surrounding the opening of the building.
A Beautiful Building
The response from many visitors was overwhelmingly positive.
Some people who toured the temple were reportedly captivated by the building's atmosphere and described it as the most beautiful building they had ever seen.
The temple has continued to attract architectural interest in the decades since its completion.
An Architectural Landmark
The Taipei Taiwan Temple has been nominated as one of the most beautiful buildings in Taipei.
It has also been studied repeatedly by architecture students.
That is particularly notable because the temple's appeal extends beyond its religious purpose.
Its design has become part of the architectural character of the city.
Dedication
President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Taipei Taiwan Temple on November 17–18, 1984.
It became the 31st dedicated temple in operation.
The dedication marked a major milestone for the Church in Taiwan and Asia.
Growth of the Church in Taiwan
At the time of the temple's dedication, there were three stakes on the island.
Twenty-five years later, membership had grown to 10 stakes and two districts.
The temple therefore became both a spiritual center and a visible symbol of the Church's growth in Taiwan.
Temple Facilities
Despite its compact size, the temple contains substantial ordinance facilities:
- Four instruction rooms
- Three sealing rooms
- One baptistry
The four instruction rooms are particularly notable given that the entire building contains less than 10,000 square feet.
Patron Housing
Patron housing is available at the temple.
This is especially useful for members traveling from other parts of Taiwan or from neighboring regions.
Distribution Center
A distribution center is also located on the temple property.
This gives members convenient access to Church materials while visiting the temple.
Exploring Taipei
A trip to the Taipei Taiwan Temple offers an incredible opportunity to explore one of Asia's most interesting cities.
Taipei combines:
- Traditional Chinese culture
- Modern skyscrapers
- Night markets
- Mountains
- Temples
- Museums
- Incredible food
- Efficient public transportation
And because the temple is located centrally, it's easy to combine a temple visit with sightseeing.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is one of Taipei's most recognizable landmarks and is located just west of the temple.
The enormous complex includes the memorial hall, surrounding gardens, and the National Theater and Concert Hall.
The temple's blue roof was intentionally designed to complement the architecture of the memorial complex.
Taipei 101
No first trip to Taipei would be complete without visiting Taipei 101.
Once the world's tallest building, it remains one of the city's defining landmarks.
The observation deck offers incredible views across Taipei and toward the surrounding mountains.
Shilin Night Market
Taipei's night markets are one of the city's biggest attractions.
Shilin Night Market is among the most famous and offers countless food stalls, shops, games, and street-food experiences.
It's a great place to experience Taipei after dark.
Longshan Temple
Longshan Temple is one of Taipei's most famous traditional temples.
Its ornate architecture and active religious atmosphere provide an interesting contrast with the modern Taipei Taiwan Temple.
Visiting both gives travelers a fascinating look at the diversity of religious architecture and practice in the city.
Taipei's Food Scene
Taipei is an incredible destination for food.
Popular dishes and foods to try include:
- Beef noodle soup
- Xiao long bao
- Taiwanese fried chicken
- Scallion pancakes
- Beef rolls
- Bubble tea
- Stinky tofu
- Gua bao
- Pineapple cakes
Night markets are particularly good places to sample multiple dishes in one evening.
Taipei's Mountains
One of Taipei's unique characteristics is how quickly the city transitions into mountainous terrain.
Visitors can take trips into the surrounding hills for:
- Hiking
- Hot springs
- Tea plantations
- Scenic overlooks
The contrast between Taipei's dense urban center and its surrounding mountains is one of the city's defining features.
Why the Taipei Temple Matters
The Taipei Taiwan Temple represents a major milestone in the history of the Church in Asia.
It was the third temple built in Asia and the first temple in Taiwan.
Its construction fulfilled President Spencer W. Kimball's 1975 promise that the Saints in Taiwan could eventually have their own temple.
A Remarkably Small Temple Property
The temple's 0.5-acre property is one of its most interesting statistics.
That's roughly 21,780 square feet of land for the entire temple complex.
Yet the temple contains nearly 10,000 square feet of floor space, with four instruction rooms, three sealing rooms, and a baptistry.
The design makes extremely efficient use of its urban site.
A Temple That Became a City Landmark
The Taipei Taiwan Temple has become more than simply a religious building.
Its architecture has attracted attention from local residents and architecture students, and it has been nominated as one of Taipei's most beautiful buildings.
Its six spires and blue roof make it immediately recognizable against Taipei's urban landscape.
Current Status
The Taipei Taiwan Temple is currently operating.
Key milestones include:
- Announcement: March 31, 1982
- Groundbreaking: August 27, 1982
- Public open house: October 30–November 10, 1984
- Dedication: November 17–18, 1984
- Current status: Operating
Planning a Temple Visit
Latter-day Saints planning to attend should check the temple's current operating schedule before traveling.
The temple has patron housing and a distribution center, but there is no public visitors' center.
Because the temple is located in central Taipei, visitors can easily combine their temple trip with some of the city's most famous attractions.
Final Thoughts
The Taipei Taiwan Temple is one of the most distinctive temples in the world.
Announced on March 31, 1982, it became the first temple in Taiwan and the third temple built in Asia. President Gordon B. Hinckley presided at the groundbreaking in August 1982 and later dedicated the temple on November 17–18, 1984.
Its history began with a promise. At a regional conference in Taiwan in 1975, President Spencer W. Kimball told the Saints, "You, too, can have one." Seven years later, the temple was announced.
The temple is particularly impressive because of its setting. Built on only 0.5 acres, it rises above the surrounding city with six detached spires, a blue tile roof, white Empress granite, fountains, mature trees, and terraced landscaping.
Its public open house attracted more than 20,000 people, including government officials, prominent business leaders, and religious leaders. Even protesters who attempted to disrupt the event were invited inside to tour the building.
Perhaps most remarkably, the temple has become recognized beyond the Church itself. It has been nominated as one of Taipei's most beautiful buildings and has been studied repeatedly by architecture students.
For Latter-day Saint travelers, a trip to the Taipei Taiwan Temple could combine temple worship with Taipei 101, traditional Taiwanese temples, night markets, incredible food, mountain scenery, and the fascinating history of the Church's first temple in Taiwan.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
broughmade.com
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