Mindanao Taoist Temple in Davao, Philippines

One of the less visited tourist attractions in Davao is the Mindanao Taoist Temple because it is located inside a village in Cabagiuo Avenue and no jeepney passes its location and most taxis don’t know the exact location of this temple. This is why most of the visitors are on a Davao Tour Package.

The Mindanao Taoist Temple houses the holy icons of the Taoist religion. Although it is not as big as the Taoist Temple in Cebu, this temple is decent enough for a person/group who practices Taoism. With roofs, slightly similar in design to the Buddhism because of Chinese culture, this Taoist Temple is using the color red on their roofs and the walls are colored yellow and white.

Unlike the Cebu Taoist Temple, one can take pictures inside the Mindanao Taoist Temple. A local folk act as a caretaker but he is not familiar to Taoism so he can’t really answer some queries. He can provide joss sticks/incense and assist you on lighting it and putting it on the incense pot. Inside, you will see icons of the Taoist divinities such as the Eight Immortals, the Triad and its founder, Lao Tze. It has three floors with a big octagon hole in each floor and one can see the ground floor and second floor from above. On the walls are Chinese lucky charms known as Bagua. These are line patterns on an octagon plane showing the various interactions of yin and yang, the female and male principles in Taoist philosophy.

Mindanao Taoist Temple

Taoist Divinities

Third Floor of the Taoist Temple

A view ot the Taoist Temple from above

The second and third floors can be accessed using the spiral staircase. There are seats and kneelers available in all floors and Taoist divinities are available in each floor. Only the ground level has the holder of the joss sticks, wooden blocks (used if you want to ask the gods for a yes, no or maybe answer), lucky/decision sticks, flowers and other things used by the devotees.

Mark and Lisa inside Mindanao Taoist Temple

How to get to Mindanao Taoist Temple

It is located 500 meters away from Lon Wa Buddhist Temple. From the City Center, take a jeepney with signboards of Cabagiuo Avenue or Route 10 then get down at PCSO office.  The Mindanao Taoist Temple is situated 150-200 meters away from the main road. From the Lon Wa Buddhist Temple going to the City Center, take the first right turn after the PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office). Walk about 100 meters then take the first turn to the left and from the corner you’ll see the temple.

About the author

Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.