Zhaoying Temple Introduction
Zhaoying Temple is currently the only national third-level historical site in Yilan, built during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, and has a history of over 200 years. Since its establishment, Zhaoying Temple has become a center of faith and gathering for the people of Yilan, and it is the only Mazu temple in Taiwan that faces the mountains. The main deity of Zhaoying Temple is Mazu, and initially, it 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 cultural luck, so during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, it was rebuilt into a three-hall temple and the orientation was changed, which indeed resulted in several scholars passing the imperial examination. Zhaoying Temple, with its long history, has undergone multiple renovations, but the layout, wood carvings, and stone carvings still retain the style from the Daoguang period. The intricate sculptures of the dragon columns, stone lions, and beam columns are quite distinctive, and there are also plaques from the Daoguang period within the temple, marking it as a site of significant status in the local area. In addition to Mazu, the temple also honors the three great contributors to Yilan's development during the Qing Dynasty: Yang Ting-li, Zhai Gan, and Chen Zheng, commonly referred to as the "Three Great Elders." If you are interested in history and temple culture, a visit to Zhaoying Temple is a must, allowing for a moment of reflection and a profound journey through Yilan.
