Ciyun Temple was established in 1924, the 13th year of Taisho, by a founder called Zhang, who raised funds locally. Located at 119–123 Hankou Street in Wanhua District, this Dining-Hall-style Buddhist temple is a serene place that has been a cherished location in a busy city.
The Guanyin Bodhisattva is enshrined in the temple. The worship incense is of limited quantity, but this is a quiet and peaceful place. After the Second World War, the smaller rooms on each side were renovated for residential purposes.
The main building was constructed in red brick, which is typical of the Taisho Era, and the floor slabs are supported by I-beams. The temple was built after the implementation of an urban planning project by the Japanese, and a brick corridor was set in front of the temple to match the width of the arcade and make it look like a small pavilion.
The brickwork is beautiful and strong and was built for a purpose: to hold the 2nd floor balcony. I-beams are used in the interior but the rest of the structure is made of wood. In addition to the shrines in the main room, the rooms on either side are still residential. The building can be regarded as a clever combination of two purposes.
The architectural and spatial design of Ciyun Temple is quite distinctive and it features simple decoration. It is a rarity among the temples of Taiwan.
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