Majiazhang Introduction
The ancestors of Majiavillage and President Ma Ying-jeou both came from Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province. In 1993, Mr. Ma Ying-jeou met Professor Ma Chuan-zhen from the National Police University. Professor Ma is the 21st descendant of the Ma family’s Fufeng Hall. During their conversation, they discovered that their ancestors came from the same area, with Professor Ma being a generation higher than President Ma. It was later understood that the Majiavillage ancestors migrated several times from Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, before settling in Guangdong and finally Taiwan, while President Ma's ancestors also moved from Fufeng County to Hunan before settling in Taiwan. Therefore, Majiavillage and President Ma share the same roots. After learning about the connection with Majiavillage, President Ma has been returning to the "Fufeng Hall" in Fengshu Village, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County every Lunar New Year’s Day since 1994, although the ancestral rites were initially kept private. It was only during his tenure as Mayor of Taipei that he arranged gatherings with local residents and kin during his return home. After a five-year hiatus, he resumed the tradition in 1998, returning every Lunar New Year’s Day to "Fufeng Hall" to pay respects and actively distribute red envelopes to local residents to share in the festive atmosphere, especially greeting the elderly with congratulations and small talk. About Majiavillage: Majiavillage is located in Fengshu Village, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, and is President Ma's second hometown. It features a small village of traditional Siheyuan (courtyard houses), preserving the traditional earthen structures of the Xu family and traditional charcoal kilns, exuding a rich historical charm. The Ma ancestral hall is named "Fufeng Hall," which has a humorous couplet: "The Ma ancestor hall shows prosperity; with brilliant leadership over the treasure island's children, Jiuxuan and the seven ancestors support him, loyal and filial good men do good deeds. Ultimately, it's all fate and opportunity, leading the clan in peace." If you combine the first characters of each line, it spells out "Ma Ying-jeou as President," indicating his popularity in the village. Traditional Charm of Majiavillage: After Mr. Ma was elected the 12th President on March 22, 2008, Majiavillage quickly became a popular tourist destination in Tongxiao Township, Miaoli, and the entire village can be explored in just a few minutes. It connects to Highway 121 and Highway 36, leading to the Tongluo Science Park and various attractions in Miaoli. Tongxiao Cihu Temple: President Ma's first stop when visiting Tongxiao Township for ancestral rites is always Tongxiao Cihu Temple, where he prays for Mazu's blessings for the safety of the people before going to the Ma ancestral hall, Fufeng Hall, to pay respects. Cihu Temple, located on Tongxiao Street in Tongxiao Township, was established in the 13th year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1837) and serves as the spiritual center for the people of Tongxiao, dedicated to the Heavenly Mother, founded by Zheng Ma-guan, a leader from the Thirteen Villages of Tongxiao. During its reconstruction and restoration, it was entirely staffed by Hakka people, showcasing rich Hakka culture. Tourism in Majiavillage: Visitors to President Ma’s hometown, Majiavillage, can explore the Fufeng Hall ancestral hall along Yingjiu Avenue and enjoy the cultural charm of the ancient village. Nearby attractions include Feiniu Ranch, Tongxiao Ocean Resort, Qiumao Garden, Hushan Park, and the renowned Dahu Winery, Sanyi Wood Sculpture Town, Tai'an Hot Springs, Mingde Reservoir, as well as historical paths like the Chao Chai Ancient Path, Chao Tan Ancient Path, and Mingfeng Ancient Path, all of which are must-see destinations. If the season permits, visitors can participate in the Miaoli Tung Blossom Festival, where the beautiful Tung flowers symbolize Hakka culture and represent romantic aspirations among couples. This allows tourists visiting Miaoli Majiavillage to enjoy the scenic beauty of the mountainous town and experience the good mountains, good water, and good hospitality of Miaoli. Authentic Taiwanese Flavor: Residents in Majiavillage primarily speak Minnan and predominantly follow Mazu beliefs, making the village imbued with authentic Taiwanese flavor. For future tourism planning, the county government intends to maintain the original simplicity of the area. The villagers are very hospitable, and due to many visitors often struggling to find their way, local residents have made signs for "Yingjiu Avenue" to help tourists. Meanwhile, the Miaoli County government has begun to install directional signs at the Tongxiao interchange on National Highway 2, ensuring that visitors from other counties can explore Majiavillage more easily.
