臺北市政府文化局

For many people in Taipei, the mention of Guting might bring to mind the bustling and towering buildings outside the metro station along Heping West Road. But just a couple of turns from there is Jinjiang Street. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Heping West Road, the residential buildings along Jinjiang Street are generally four or five stories tall, and noisy traffic and crowds are noticeably absent. 

Venture into the alleyways of Jinjiang Street, and you’ll come across a temple dedicated to the Earth God known as Changqing Temple. Behind the temple stands an ancient banyan tree with a circumference of up to ten meters that is believed to be over 250 years old. Members of the local community often gather under the tree to chat and socialize.

What many may not know is that this temple was the center of Guting Village, which was founded during the Qing Dynasty when immigrants from Quanzhou in Fujian began cultivating the land. The original settlement was not large, but the construction of waterways such as Liugong Canal led to the development of the nearby Jingmei area, which in turn led to an increase in the population around Guting.

Changqing Temple became the spiritual center for these pioneers, while also serving as a testament to inter-ethnic cooperation and coexistence. After the Second World War, many Hakka people migrated to the Taipei area, and a large number settled in Guting, where they formed the Bo Gong Association and played an active role in the temple’s renovation and in the ceremonies held there. 

Meanwhile, the adult children of Chinese immigrants who were originally settled in the nearby Nanjichang area decided to purchase properties in Guting and also became worshippers at Changqing Temple. All local residents, regardless of their ethnic background, can find shelter under the ancient banyan tree and seek blessings at Changqing Temple.