Taichung Temple Becomes 'Toy Car' Deity, Offering Over 20 Free Ride-Ons for Kids

(CNA, by reporter Chao Li-yen, Taichung, 21st) Over 20 toy cars are parked in the courtyard of Yongkang Fude Temple in Fengyuan, Taichung. The temple's chairman, Zhou Sen, stated that these are unused toy cars donated by the public, which children can ride and borrow for free. Locals have quipped that while Nantou has its "Instant Noodle Tudigong," Taichung has a "Toy Car Tudigong."

Located in Fengyuan District, Taichung City, the Yongkang Fude Temple sees its courtyard, filled with over 20 toy cars, attract many children every morning and afternoon to ride and play. The toy cars are neatly arranged by the side of the courtyard, resembling a large amusement park.

Zhou Sen, the chairman of Yongkang Fude Temple, told the media that the temple is situated within Yongkang Park. Starting last year, a member of the public left an unused but still functional toy car in the courtyard for children to enjoy. Seeing this, others followed suit, and the number of toy cars grew to its current state.

Zhou mentioned that when parents bring their children to play, they sometimes take a toy car home and return it when the child tires of it. Since all the toy cars are provided for free by the public, the temple has adopted a free-for-all borrowing system. However, some children ride the toy cars into the park and their parents do not ensure they are returned to their original spot before leaving. As a result, he has to patrol the park daily to bring the toy cars back to the temple courtyard.

A local resident remarked that Shilonggong in Zhongliao, Nantou, is famous as the "Instant Noodle Tudigong," where eating a bowl of instant noodles after praying feels like a complete ritual. Similarly, Fengyuan in Taichung now has its "Toy Car Tudigong," where children come to ride toy cars and share in the joy.