page_title: Temples of Taichung
section_title: Lin Family Ancestral Temple
hierarchical_section_title: Temples of Taichung / Family shrines / Lin Family Ancestral Temple
caption_attribution_description: English: This is a painting on the inside of the door looking from the inner courtyard exit to the outer courtyard at the Lin Family Temple in Taichung, Taiwan. Photo taken on October 12, 2006.
context_page_description: Like many of Taiwan's older cities, Taichung has a large number of old temples and shrines that have historical value and are typical of the eras in which they were built. They include family and public Taoist and Buddhist temples, a Confucian temple, and even a Japanese Shinto Shrine.
context_section_description: The Lin Family Ancestral Shrine was first built in what is now Dali City (just south of Taichung City) during the Jiaqing era of the Qing dynasty (1796–1821).  It is considered the most important shrine to people with the surname Lin in central Taiwan.  It has moved location several times, arriving at its current location in East District, Taichung City in 1930.  Currently located just off of Guoguang Road, even though it is just off a main artery of the city, if you are not looking for it, you would never know it was there.  You have to find a narrow lane that is largely lain with bricks.  It is directly opposite rather non-descript housing and is surrounded by multi-level apartment buildings.  It is one of several temples in 
   
  Taichung City that have been designated a Category 3 Historical Site by the national government of Taiwan.
  The shrine includes stone wall sculptures, wood carvings, and paintings that typify Fujianese design of the mid-Qing dynasty.  The outer courtyard has a small brick structure used for burning paper ghost money along with traditional stone guards to protect the sanctity of the temple.
  The front entrance has stone carvings on both sides and painting on the doors.  The inner courtyard is also made from brick, and one can see the inner shrine from this courtyard.  It also includes the traditional drum and bell and has numerous wood carvings and paintings.
  The inner shrine is a beautiful example of traditional piety of leading families of that era in Taiwan's history.
caption: Painting on door inside the temple.
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