In 1923, the land area in front of the temple was forested and named Mengxia Park.

In 1956, Taipei Mayor Kao Yu-shu (Chinese: 高玉樹) gave permission for street vendors to set up their stalls at the park.

In 1995, the Department of Rapid Transit Systems held a public competition to carry out the planning and design to rejuvenate the park, which was won by ROW and Associates Architects.

Later in an effort to preserve the area, Taipei City Government planned to make urban renewal plan on the temple area, three major squares and lotus pond, and to create culture and art gallery, underground shopping center and underground parking lot.

The permit for underground construction was issued in July 1998 and the groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by Mayor Ma Ying-jeou on 24 February 1999.