Su'ao Jin'an Temple (Zhang Gong Temple) Introduction
Jin'an Temple, also commonly known as Zhang Gong Temple because it venerates the deity originally named Zhang, is the oldest temple in Su'ao. Zhang Gong is a local guardian deity from Quanzhou, Fujian, which indirectly indicates that the people from Quanzhou were among the earliest Han settlers in the Su'ao area. The pioneering settlers from Quanzhou, seeking a place to settle overseas, requested the local guardian deity, Zhang Gong, to accompany them by ship to drive away the toxic miasma of the wild, facilitating the establishment of a temple to honor Zhang Gong in the Yongchun area of Su'ao. As a result of diligent development, large plains were cultivated in the Sanxing Dapu area, which subsequently attracted nearly a hundred settlers from Quanzhou to migrate to Yilan. Within Jin'an Temple, there is an old piece of indigo-dyed cloth with the names of twenty-six pioneering figures inscribed on it, as well as preserved monument inscriptions, which hold significant historical value. Jin'an Temple is also home to a humorous story; while most temple doors feature stone lions with the male on the left and the female on the right, Jin'an Temple is the opposite. Additionally, many shops in front of the temple are run by female proprietors, leading to the area being colloquially known as "Jingmo Street," a fascinating legend in the Su'ao region. In the past, during the Zhang Gong birthday celebration (the 8th day of the 3rd lunar month), the temple held grand events to welcome the deity on tours around the community, praying for peace in the locality, making it one of the most significant events in Su'ao. In recent years, Jin'an Temple has begun hosting "banquet culture" events to connect with local sentiments and revive folk culture, inviting song and dance troupes to perform, creating a lively atmosphere.
