Climbing high to dispel miasma, visiting a fairyland during Dragon Boat Festival

Every Dragon Boat Festival, in addition to making rice dumplings and hanging mugwort at doorways, there is a traditional custom of climbing high to avoid miasma and praying for blessings. Located atop the mountains in Wenshan District, Taipei City, Zhinan Temple is an ideal destination that combines religious beliefs, natural scenery, and the essence of the festival. Taking the Maokong Gondola uphill, you are greeted by rising mist and dappled forest shadows, as if traveling to a fairyland. After arriving at the Zhinan Temple station, a short walk leads you to the majestic temple perched on the mountain peak. Amidst the red tiles and green pillars, ancient pines and bamboo emerge, with the temple radiating solemnity and tranquility under the sunlight. Zhinan Temple is dedicated to the immortal Lü Dongbin, known for his powers to bless, protect, and ward off evil. Every Dragon Boat Festival, visitors flock here to offer incense and pray for peace, often presenting rice dumplings as offerings to dispel misfortune and enhance positive energy. During this season, the mountain is lush with mugwort, adding to the festive atmosphere. If you’re lucky, you might encounter temple staff distributing sachets or bundles of mugwort, which you can wear to symbolize blessings and protection. From the temple’s observation platform, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Taipei Basin, with layers of distant mountains and a hazy cityscape. Around the Dragon Boat Festival, afternoon thunderstorms are common, and after the rain, mist rises from the valleys like a white dragon ascending to the heavens, echoing the traditional saying "Dragons ascend on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month," creating a poetic scene. Inside the temple, there is the Lü Dongbin Cultural Hall and the Taoist Culture Corridor, showcasing Taoist health practices, cultivation methods, and Lü Dongbin’s stories, making it a great place for learning and meditation. If you explore the mountain trails, you can also visit "Xianji Rock," said to be the site of Lü Dongbin’s cultivation. The area, filled with ancient stones and trees, exudes a strong religious and natural ambiance. If you feel tired during your journey, there are simple eateries and tea houses near Zhinan Temple where you can rest. Pairing your meal with Maokong’s signature Pouchong tea offers a refreshing break, complemented by homemade savory or sweet rice dumplings to enhance the Dragon Boat Festival experience. In this spiritual mountain retreat on the edge of the city, the Dragon Boat Festival is not just a holiday but a journey of purification intertwined with nature, faith, and history. If you wish to escape the hustle and bustle, avoid the summer heat, and rediscover a sense of ancient ritual during the festive season, Zhinan Temple is the destination you seek.