Gyeongbokgung Palace Introduction
During the 16th year of the Jiaqing era (1811), Taoziyuan was severely affected by infectious diseases, prompting the local people to donate money to build a temple. It took two years to complete, and it was named Jingfu Palace. The temple was initially designed with three main halls: front, middle, and back. The grand completion ceremony invited officials, and the temple received three plaques inscribed with "He Sheng Zhuo Ling," "De Bian Qun Li," and "Ming He Gan Ying," which are still displayed inside the temple today, highlighting the construction of this temple as a significant local event. Jingfu Palace is primarily dedicated to the Kaizhang Shengwang (the Holy King of Kaizhang), with Xuantan Yuanshuai as a secondary deity. The statues are enshrined in the main hall. Later, to accommodate the needs of various devotees, Buddhist deities, Taoist deities, ancestry figures from various professions, revered deities from Quanzhou, the god of childbirth, Mazu, and others were gradually added, reflecting a high degree of belief integration. Every year, from the 17th day of the first lunar month, devotees participate in a grand procession to the Daxi Renhe Temple and Nankan Wufu Temple in honor of the Kaizhang Shengwang and Xuantan Yuanshuai. This annual festival attracts thousands of worshippers to join the lively parade, and the 15th day of the second lunar month celebrates the birthday of Kaizhang Shengwang, featuring theatrical performances and a series of activities for honoring the gods, lasting for several days, creating a grand spectacle. With a history of over a century, Jingfu Palace boasts architectural details of considerable artistic value. Its unique "fake-saddle" roof is rare in Taiwan, enhancing the grandeur of the temple's exterior. The density and diverse shapes of the bracket sets are unparalleled in Taiwan, showcasing the beauty of the dougong. The various wood and stone carvings and paintings within the temple are all crafted by master artists, with exquisite quality comparable to that of century-old churches abroad. This "grand temple," as referred to by the local population, is not just a center of local faith; it has historically been a crucial hub for urban development. Early roads, such as Zhongzheng Road and Minsheng Road, expanded outward from Jingfu Palace, forming a commercial settlement. Witnessing the magnificent history of Taoyuan, Jingfu Palace has now transformed into the preferred medium for people to understand the historical trajectory of this land.
