Keelung temple honoring Monkey King reopens doors after four years
Keelung temple honoring Monkey King reopens doors after four years
2025-10-22
Taiwan has many temples and just as many deities. But did you know there’s even a temple dedicated to Sun Wu-kong, the Monkey King? More than 60 years ago, Chinese medicine practitioner Kuo Yu-shui funded construction of the temple, which later became an important religious center in Keelung. But due to the pandemic and a lack of funding, the temple closed for four years. Luckily, FTV got an exclusive look inside this once-great temple. Let’s sneak a peek.
Up on mountainous Zhongchuan Road in Keelung is a rare temple in Taiwan dedicated to Sun Wu-kong, the Monkey King from “Journey to the West”.
Shengji Temple closed for four years due to the pandemic, but now it’s finally reopening its doors.
The long-shuttered temple finally pulled back the veil on its classic roof sculptures and rare ceramic wall murals. Standing in the place of honor, donning a headband is the Monkey King. Back when the temple was at its height, many people came especially to honor him.
Lu Mei-ling
Keelung City Councilor (independent)
People who came here to pray found it incredibly effective, so it attracted more people to come. Everyone brought their hopes and dreams here, and after praying, they came true. So for a while it was incredibly—I should say unprecedentedly—crowded. And that’s how word spread.
Member of public
Back in 1978 it was so lively. Every day, tour buses of people would come. Of course, it will be very lively after reopening, too.
Shengji Temple was built by Chinese medicine practitioner Kuo Yu-shui in 1959 to house a golden effigy of the Monkey King that was passed down in his family through the generations. Due to frequent fires in Keelung at the time, the deity was said to have manifested his divine power to shield the residents. Deeply moved by his protection, they established the temple that become a focal point for the community.
As Sun Wu-kong has 72 transformations, he draws followers from all walks of life. But due to the pandemic and lack of funding, Shengji Temple closed down for four years. The paint and sculptures fell into disrepair, and worshipers could only burn incense at a makeshift altar outside the door.
Mr. Huang
Shengji Temple manager
Before, it was miraculous. It’s a shame what happened to the local religion. I saw it was dirty and helped tidy it up.
Volunteer
I’ll come whenever I happen to be passing by. This place relies on all of us.
People who regularly hike up the mountain also often stop by to help maintain the temple. Local followers hope that someday they can restore the site to its former glory.
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#temple #MonkeyKing #SunWukong #JourneytotheWest #religion #localreligion #Keelung #reopening #ShengjiTemple
全台少數大聖廟 民視獨家直擊神秘面紗
2025-10-22
台灣宮廟多，拜的神明也多，但您知道在基隆有間全台少數主祀"齊天大聖"的宮廟嗎。是六十多年前，基隆一位中醫師郭玉水出資興建，是當地重要的信仰中心。之前因疫情，加上無人經營直接封廟，一封就是四年，在民視獨家鏡頭下，重新對外開放，帶您一窺大聖廟的神秘面紗。
基隆中船路山上，有座台灣少數，專門祭祀齊天大聖的廟宇。
因疫情封閉四年的聖濟宮，終於推開了大門。
從屋頂上的古老雕塑，到牆面上少見的剪瓷工藝，塵封已久的廟宇，終於揭開面紗，神桌正中間這尊頭戴緊箍圈的神像，正是齊天大聖，過去香火鼎盛時期，還有許多香客專程到訪。
[[基隆市議員(無) 呂美玲]]
“有人來這邊祈求，非常的靈驗，因此吸引了更多的人，每一個人把他的心願來這邊，然後祈求以後就實現，所以有一陣子是真的非常的，應該是說盛況空前，來了非常非常多的人，所以就這樣子口耳相傳。”
[[民眾]]
“(民國)六十七年的時候很熱鬧，每天的遊覽車都是很多很多。當然祂重新開這裡很熱鬧。”
聖濟宮在1959年時，由中醫師郭玉水出資興建，廟中齊天大聖金身就是郭家世代相傳寶物，由於光復初期基隆地區火災多，大聖爺曾顯靈以自己金身過火為鄉民受災劫，鄉民深感大聖庇佑，廟宇也成為當地信仰中心。
由於孫悟空有72變的本事，吸引不少各行各業的信眾，只是受疫情影響，加上無人經營，聖濟宮封廟一封就是四年，廟門油漆、廟內雕塑品嚴重剝落，信眾只好在門口另設香案來膜拜。
[[聖濟宮管理員 黃先生]]
“過去很靈驗，很可惜這是地方的信仰。來這裡看，很髒，幫忙整理。”
[[志工]]
“我偶爾經過的時候就一起來，這個地方環境靠大家”
平時不少到山上運動的民眾，也會自發性當起志工幫忙維護環境。當地信徒也希望能重回往日香火鼎盛的榮景。
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