Shilin Cixian Temple, also called Shilin Mazu Temple, is dedicated to Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea. Originally known as the Tianhou Temple, it was first built in 1796 with funding from a local merchant named Chin Tang at the site of the present day Shilin Tourist Night Market.

It was engulfed in a fire due to a fight between two rival immigrant families from Mainland China and was later rebuilt on its present site.

There are lots of temples in Taipei but Marc and I really sought this one out. It came highly recommended besides the Longshan Temple. After seeing quite a number of temples since our arrival it was really hard to figure out which one was more worthy of a visit and which one was not.