Zhaoying Temple Introduction
Zhaoying Temple is currently the only national third-level historic site in Yilan, built during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty. At that time, Zhaoying Temple was located at the center of Kāmālán County and has a history of over 200 years. Since its establishment, it has become a center of faith and gatherings for the people of Yilan, and it is also the only Mazu temple in Taiwan facing the mountains. The main deity worshiped in Zhaoying Temple is Mazu, and originally the temple faced the sea, symbolizing protection for fishermen. However, it is said that a geomancer divined that if Zhaoying Temple faced west, it could change the local scholarly fortunes. Therefore, during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, the temple was rebuilt in a three-hall style and its orientation was changed, which led to several scholars passing the imperial examination subsequently. Zhaoying Temple, with its long history, has undergone several renovations, but the layout, wood carvings, and stone carvings still retain the style from the Daoguang era. The intricate craftsmanship of the dragon pillars, stone lions, and beams is particularly noteworthy, and one can still see plaques from the Daoguang period within the temple, marking it as a temple of significant local status. In addition to worshiping Mazu, the temple also venerates the three great contributors to the development of Yilan during the Qing Dynasty: Yang Tingli, Zhai Gan, and Chen Zheng, commonly referred to as the "Three Elders." For those interested in history and temple culture, visiting Zhaoying Temple is a great opportunity for reflection and to embark on an in-depth journey through Yilan.
