Ji'an Qingxiu Temple | Hualien Attraction

Qingxiu Temple was built in 1917 (Taisho 6) during the Japanese colonial era, originally called the Yoshino Mission Station (吉野布教所), and is dedicated to Kukai (Kobo Daishi), the founder of Shingon Buddhism. It is now a nationally designated historic site. The grounds retain stone lanterns, eighty-eight stone Buddha statues, a timber main hall, and other architectural and religious elements from the Japanese colonial period, making it one of the best-preserved Japanese-style temples in Taiwan.

Highlights of Qingxiu Temple

Qingxiu Temple was built by Japanese immigrant worshippers who had settled in Yoshino (present-day Ji'an Township), bearing witness to the history of Japanese agricultural migration to the Hualien Plain. The Yoshino immigrant village was one of the largest Japanese agricultural settlement communities in eastern Taiwan at the time, and Qingxiu Temple served as its religious center. After 1945, the Japanese settlers returned to Japan and the temple passed into the hands of Han Taiwanese worshippers, who maintained it through a series of restorations.

The eighty-eight stone Buddhas inside the grounds are arranged according to the configuration of the eighty-eight sacred sites of the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Japan; walking the full circuit symbolically represents completing the Shikoku henro pilgrimage. The timber main hall, lined approach of stone lanterns, temizuya (water ablution pavilion), and other spatial elements are all present and complete, faithfully reproducing the spatial sequence of a Shingon Buddhist temple. Visit with a quiet and respectful demeanor — do not touch the stone Buddhas or religious artifacts.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit

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Walk the Circuit of Eighty-Eight Stone BuddhasWalk the full circuit of the eighty-eight stone Buddhas in order to experience the symbolic meaning of the Shikoku pilgrimage. The statues are set among shaded trees — there is no need to rush.

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Examine the Timber Main Hall CloselyThe wooden roof structure, paintings, and shrine arrangement of the main hall represent the finest craftsmanship in Japanese temple architecture. Study the building's structure and decorative details carefully from outside the hall.

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Learn the History of the Immigrant SettlementInterpretive panels inside the grounds document the history of the Yoshino immigrant village. Reading them first gives you the social context of why the temple exists here, which greatly deepens the experience.

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Visit in the Early Morning or Late AfternoonThe morning is quieter, with soft light and the most peaceful atmosphere between the stone lanterns and old trees. If you visit on a festival day, religious activities may be taking place — please show respect.

Practical Information

Getting There & Time

Located along Zhongxing Road in Ji'an Township, about a 10–15-minute drive from Hualien City, or take a bus to Ji'an Station and walk from there.
Opening hours and visitor rules should be confirmed with the temple or the Cultural Heritage Bureau, Ministry of Culture. As a national historic site, visitor access prioritizes preservation, and some areas may have restrictions.
Allow 45 to 60 minutes, including the stone Buddha circuit and the main hall visit.

Nearby Connections

Ji'an Township has several Amis cultural sites nearby. Check with local tourism information for indigenous cultural experience programs that can be combined.
Not far from Hualien City — can be paired with East Gate Night Market or Songyuan Villa for a half-day Hualien city itinerary.

Sources: National Historic Site database, Cultural Heritage Bureau, Ministry of Culture. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own photography.

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