Su'ao Jin'an Temple (Zhang Gong Temple) Introduction
Jin'an Temple is dedicated to the deity originally named Zhang, hence it is often referred to as Zhang Gong Temple. This is the oldest temple in Su'ao, where Zhang Gong is regarded as the local guardian deity from Quanzhou, Fujian. This connection also highlights that the people from Quanzhou were among the first Han Chinese settlers in the area. The pioneers from Quanzhou, in their quest for overseas settlements, invited the local guardian Zhang Gong to accompany them by boat to ward off the noxious miasma of the wild lands, which led to the establishment of a temple to worship Zhang Gong in the area of Su'ao, specifically in places like Bai Mi Weng and Yongchun. Through diligent development, large plains were cultivated in the vicinity of Sanxing and Dapu, which later attracted nearly a hundred Quanzhou settlers to migrate to Yilan. Jin'an Temple houses a piece of old indigo-dyed cloth inscribed with the names of twenty-six pioneering figures and retains a commemorative monument, reflecting significant historical heritage. Jin'an Temple also has a humorous story: typically, the stone lions flanking the temple entrance are arranged with the male lion on the left and the female on the right, but at Jin'an Temple, they are in reverse order. Additionally, many shops in front of the temple are managed by women, resulting in a local nickname for the street, "Jing Mo Street," which is an amusing tale in the Su'ao area. In the past, during the Zhang Gong's birthday celebrations (the 8th day of the 3rd lunar month), the temple organized grand activities, welcoming the deity in processions, as a prayer for peace in the community—an event of great significance in Su'ao. In recent years, Jin'an Temple has begun hosting "Ban Tzai Culture" events to foster local ties and revive folk customs, inviting performing arts troupes to enliven the festivities, which have become quite lively.
