Gyeongbokgung Palace Introduction
Jingfu Temple in Taoyuan City is a temple located in the city center, serving as both a religious site and a witness to cultural history. As an important faith center in the Taoyuan area, Jingfu Temple, known as the "Grand Temple," has long been integrated into the lives and emotions of local residents. Moreover, the festive activities here have made it a popular highlight for cultural tourism. The history of Jingfu Temple can be traced back to 1745, when it was jointly built by immigrants from Zhangzhou, Fujian. The temple primarily venerates the Holy King of Kaizhang, whose incense originated from Zhangzhou. With the increase of immigrants in 1811, the original temple's size was insufficient to reflect the significance of their faith, leading to a decision to expand. The expansion project began in 1811 and was completed in 1813 after two years of effort, extending the temple to a scale of three halls. The rear hall is particularly dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva, showcasing the diversity of faith. This reconstruction also invited renowned sculptors from Zhangzhou to carve seven major temple guardian statues. Among them, the statue of the Holy King is the largest and most exquisite Kaizhang Holy King statue among Qing Dynasty sculptures in Taiwan, exuding majesty and kindness, commanding respect from visitors. The architectural style of Jingfu Temple combines traditional Taiwanese techniques, with the plaques and stone pillars inside the temple reflecting the craftsmanship of Qing Dynasty artisans. The design of the front and main halls was created by masters Chen Ying-bin and Wu Hai-tong, resulting in an aesthetic temple that perfectly blends architecture and art. Additionally, the fountain dragon pond in the temple courtyard and the night lighting design further add vibrancy and charm to this historical building. Jingfu Temple is active throughout the year in festive activities. From the head incense ceremony on New Year's Eve to the lively Kaizhang Holy King's birthday celebration, each event is filled with historical warmth and deep traditional culture. Moreover, special activities for Mother's Day, elegant coming-of-age rituals, solemn Zhongyuan Pu Du ceremonies, romantic matchmaking events led by Yue Lao, and the spectacular ritual of releasing water lanterns all provide visitors with multi-layered cultural experiences. In addition to architecture and activities, Jingfu Temple also sells a variety of creative cultural products. From keychains symbolizing peace to pen charms conveying wisdom, as well as commemorative bracelets and money talismans, golden spoons, and charm bracelets, even solid wood divination cups have become popular collectibles. These products are both practical and rich in cultural significance, making them the perfect souvenirs for visitors.
