Majiacuo Introduction
The ancestors of the Ma family village are from Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, just like President Ma Ying-jeou's ancestors. In 1993, Mr. Ma Ying-jeou met Professor Ma Chuan-zhen from the National Police University, who is the 21st generation descendant of the Ma family in Fufeng Hall. Through their conversation, they discovered that their ancestors came from the same region, and Professor Ma is one generation older than President Ma. Later, it was found that the Ma family village's ancestors migrated several times from Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, before settling in Guangdong and eventually in Taiwan, while President Ma's ancestors migrated from Fufeng County to Hunan before settling in Taiwan. Therefore, Ma family village and President Ma share the same roots. After learning about his connection to the Ma family village, since 1994, President Ma has returned to Fufeng Hall in Fengshu Village, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, every year on the second day of the Lunar New Year to pay respects to his ancestors. Initially, this ancestral worship was not publicly announced, and it was only during his tenure as the Mayor of Taipei that President Ma arranged gatherings with local villagers and relatives during his visits home. Although there was a five-year hiatus, starting from 1998 up to the present, President Ma has returned to Fufeng Hall every Lunar New Year’s second day to pay respects, actively distributing red envelopes to the villagers to share the New Year atmosphere, especially treating the elderly with greetings and small talk. About Ma Family Village Ma Family Village, located in Fengshu Village, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, is President Ma's second hometown. It primarily features traditional Siheyuan-style small villages, preserving the rustic charm with Xu family earthen houses and traditional charcoal kilns. The Ma ancestral hall is called "Fufeng Hall," and it has an interesting set of couplets: "The Ma ancestral hall shows significance, wise leadership for the beloved island's children; the nine ancestors and seven forefathers assist him, being loyal, filial, and good men; ultimately, it is heaven's intention and favorable opportunities that lead the group to peace." If one takes the first character of each line, it spells "Ma Ying-jeou is the president," reflecting President Ma's popularity in the village. Rustic Charm of Ma Family Village Ma Family Village, located in Fengshu Village, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, became a popular tourist destination after Mr. Ma was elected as the 12th President on March 22, 2008. It only takes a few minutes to walk through the entire village, connecting to Miaoli County Route 121 and County Route 36, leading to the Tongluo Science Park and other attractions in Miaoli. Tongxiao Cihui Temple The first stop for President Ma when he visits Miaoli's Tongxiao Township for ancestor worship is the Tongxiao Cihui Temple, where he prays for blessings from Mazu for the safety of the people before proceeding to the Ma ancestral hall, Fufeng Hall, for ancestral worship. Cihui Temple, located on Tongxiao Street in Tongxiao Township, is the faith center for the residents of Tongxiao, established in the 13th year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty (1837 AD), dedicated to the Heavenly Holy Mother, founded by Cheung Mago of the Thirteen Villages of Tongxiao. Most participants in the temple's reconstruction and restoration were Hakka, contributing to its rich Hakka culture. Tourism in Ma Family Village Visitors to President Ma's hometown, Ma Family Village, can explore the Fufeng Hall ancestral temple along Yingjiu Avenue and enjoy the rustic village atmosphere. Attractions around Miaoli include Flying Cow Ranch, Tongxiao Ocean Resort, Qiuma Garden, Huo Tou Mountain Park, as well as notable spots like Dahu Winery, Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, Taian Hot Springs, Mingde Reservoir, and historical trails like the Firewood Ancient Path, Charcoal Ancient Path, and Mingfeng Ancient Path, which are all must-see destinations. If the season allows, visitors can participate in the Miaoli Tung Blossom Festival, where the beautiful Tung blossoms, known as "May Snow," serve as a symbol of Hakka culture, representing romantic yearnings between couples, allowing tourists in Miaoli's Ma Family Village to appreciate the beauty of mountain towns and experience the good nature of the people, water, and landscapes of Miaoli. Authentic Taiwanese Flavor The residents of Ma Family Village mostly speak Hokkien, and the predominant religious belief is Mazu worship, which expresses the authentic Taiwanese flavor throughout the village. For future development plans for tourism and recreation, the county government intends to preserve these original simple characteristics. The villagers of Ma Family Village are very hospitable. Recently, many visitors from outside have encountered difficulties in finding the place, so the residents have kindly put up signs on "Yingjiu Avenue," helping the tourists to avoid the trouble of asking for directions. However, the Miaoli County government has already set up road signs at the Tongxiao interchange of the Zhong Er Expressway, and it is believed that future visitors from outside counties will find it easier to explore Ma Family Village.
