The Wenwu Temple sits on the northern shore of Sun Moon Lake and is dedicated to two very different figures: Confucius, the god of civil learning, and Guan Di, the god of war. The pairing reflects a pragmatic Chinese religious tradition that sees no contradiction in venerating both scholarship and martial power. The temple complex is large and theatrical, spread across three main halls on a terraced hillside above the water.
The views from the upper hall across the lake are among the best at Sun Moon Lake — worth the climb up the terraced steps even if temples are not normally your thing. The temple is busy on weekends and on festival days; if you want it quieter, come early in the morning or on a weekday.