Taoist Temple

Another well known tourist spots in Cebu is the Taoist temple. This temple was built in 1972, located in Beverly Hills Subdivision, Cebu City. The temple was built by Cebu’s substantial Chinese community. With an elevation of 300 meters above sea level, the temple is a towering, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes.

It’s my pleasure to visit the Taoist temple to think that we don’t see much Chinese temple here in the Philippines. While we stayed in Cebu, we never want to miss to visit this temple. Of course I heard many nice feedback from my friends who visited there and it makes me curious also how wonderful it is. I saw some pictures, but it’s nice to see it in real. The entrance to the temple is a replica of the Great Wall of China. And while you’re walking all the way to the temple, you will see the giant dragon statue. Well, I don’t want to miss myself standing in front of that dragon, so click, click, click, smile you’re in the camera haaa. Since its 300 meters above sea level, you will enjoy the overlooking view of the city. The temple is not that big, so I guess about an hour tour then you are done already. The temple includes a chapel, a library, a souvenir shop and a wishing well.

The Taoist temple is open to the worshipers and non-worshipers alike. A ritual among devotees is where one prays to the gods to grant one’s wish. The ritual includes washing of hands, going inside the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood. If the blocks of wood are both face up then one could make a wish. If not then it is not yet the time for one’s wish to be granted and one has to come to the temple some other time.

The temple is the center of worship for Taoism, the religion which follows the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tze. Another ritual among Taoist devotees, which is done during Wednesdays and Sundays, is the climbing of its 81 steps (representing the 81 chapters of Taoism scriptures) to light joss sticks and have their fortune read by the monks.