I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve visited many places simply because I saw a single compelling photo of them. That was the case for Taiwan’s Shitoushan Quanhua Temple, located on Lion’s Head Mountain in rural Miaoli County.
Problem is, I can’t remember which photo I saw, or when I saw it. Which is neither here nor there: I went—multiple times—and it was completely worth the journey.
Whether or not Lion’s Head temple is one of the Taiwan destinations you’ve previously considered visiting, I hope you’ll continue reading, and will let me inform and inspire you.
How I Came to Know About Lion’s Head
As I mentioned in the introduction to this piece, I truly can’t remember precisely how I discovered Lion’s Head Temple in Taiwan. I do remember that it was sometime in 2018, and I was planning my second trip to the country. Unlike my first one, which had focused mainly on Taipei, I intended for this one to be as comprehensive as possible. I wanted to go “everywhere,” to the extent that one ever can on a single trip.
Although I don’t honestly remember which picture I saw, or where, I do remember more or less what it contained. As embarrassing as it sounds to admit, I either Googled (in words) what the picture showed, or put it into a reverse image search. I remember being disappointed that it was so far from civilization, though I wanted to visit it badly enough that I figured out how to get there.
5 Ways to Make Your Lion’s Head Visit Easier
Rent a car
The good news? You can access Lion’s Head Temple via public transportation if you have no other way to get there. However, it’s much easier and quicker to get there using your own car, whether you live in Taiwan and own one, have a friend who owns a car or rent a car (which is what I do, every chance I get).
Pair it with another destination
Given its location on Taiwan’s most populous western side, Shitoushan Quanhua Temple is relatively close to a number of other places in Taiwan. The last time I went, for example, I stopped there en route from Sun Moon Lake back to Taipei. That’s another advantage of having a car: You can make the day more worth your while.
(But ideally not Taipei)
I mentioned that I traveled from Shitousan (more or less) directly back to Taipei, but if you’re going there and back on a day trip, it will be a very long day. It’s possible, of course—Taiwan is simply not very big—but it’s much easier to do the trip from Taichung or even Hsinchu.
Come in a cooler month
Shitoushan Taiwan can get downright hot in summer (and even in late spring or early autumn), which won’t come a surprise to you if you’ve spent even a minimal amount of time in Taiwan outside the winter. I recommend coming here between the months of October and April, if you can, to minimize discomfort.
Visit at sunrise or sunset
As you might be able to see in my pictures, the lighting at Lion’s Head is relatively harsh. Unfortunately, for most of the year, this is the case throughout much of the day, as a result of the direction the temple facts. However, visiting around sunrise or sunset time (when the light is soften, in general) can lessen this blow.
Is Quanhua Temple Worth Visiting?
Both during my maiden voyage there in 2018, as well as on subsequent trips, I can definitely say that Quanhua Temple lives up to the hype. Well, to the extent that such an obscure destination has any “hype” built up around it. Even though I went by public transportation in 2018, enduring the cumbersome journey was absolutely worth it, and I’d do it again if renting a car was not in the cards.
At the same time, I reiterate my belief that Lion’s Head Taiwan is best seen in conjunction with other nearby attractions, if only because you should always make sure your get your money’s (and time’s) worth. Unless you literally only have a few hours to spare (in which case I’d probably recommend somewhere else in the country), why not also see Taichung, or Sun Moon Lake, or Changhua?
Other FAQ About Visiting Lion’s Head Temple in Taiwan
How do I get to Lion’s Head Mountain from Taipei?
If you don’t have a rental car, you need to go by train (via Miaoli) to Zhunan Station, then get a bus from there. Alternatively, it’s much easier to rent a car, via which the temple is only a few hours away from Taipei, and even closer to Taichung and Sun Moon Lake.
How do I get to Quanhua Temple?
You can travel to Quanhua Temple by public transportation—high-speed rail to Miaoli; local train to Zhunan; bus from there—but I think it’s much better to rent a car. This will leave you less at the mercy of infrequent local buses and trains, and more free to exploe as you please.
What is the Lion’s Head Temple in Taiwan?
Lion’s Head Temple is a gorgeous, ornate, traditional temple located in rural Miaoli County, in west-central Taiwan. It isn’t easy to reach (at least not if you are relying on public transportation), but in my opinion it is more than worth visiting.
The Bottom Line
I can’t remember what specifically made me want to visit Lion’s Head Temple; I also can’t forget the place. Whether as part of a road trip in west-central Taiwan—Shitoushan isn’t far from Taichung—or as an à la carte day trip from Taipei or Kaohsiung, this is a destination that is worth basically any journey. I personally do prefer coming here with my own car, of course, if only because the public transportation to get here can be slow and cumbersome. Need personalized assistance putting your trip to Taiwan together? Whether or not you end up visiting Lion’s Head, I do hope you’ll consider hiring me to plan it.
