Year of Steps

Before the round-the-lake road was built, the only way to get to Wen Wu Temple was to take a boat to the pier below the temple and climb up a very steep flight of steps.

There are now 366 steps covering the 150-meter distance, symbolizing the 366 days in a year (including an extra day in leap year). At the step that represents the first day of each month, there is now a platform where people can stop and rest. Information related to the 24 solar periods is also carved into the steps, so that visitors can learn something about China's traditional folk culture as they slowly ascend the steps.

There are also wind chimes along the steps, which are used by visitors to ask for blessings. Visitors first go to Wen Wu Temple and buy wind chimes for their specific animal of the Chinese zodiac, and then have the chimes passed through incense smoke by temple workers. Then the visitors write their names and the contents of their wishes, and go to the top of the Year of Steps to ring the chimes, and finally go down the steps and hang the chimes beside those steps that represent their birthdays, symbolizing the completion of their efforts.

http://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw