Ciyun Temple Introduction
"Ciyun Temple," located in Houlong, has a history of over 220 years and is the only Taoist temple in Miaoli County that preserves the most complete historical documents. It is also one of the oldest and most organized Mazu temples in Taiwan, officially registered by the government. Established over 200 years ago, Ciyun Temple is the oldest temple in Houlong, boasting a rich collection of ancient artifacts, including an ancient table from the Qianlong period and a plaque bearing the imperial seal "With Heaven in Harmony" from Emperor Guangxu's reign. Ciyun Temple faces south, with a main hall and two side rooms; the central hall enshrines Mazu, while the side halls house the Earth God and the Goddess of Childbirth, drawing many devotees. The temple hosts an intriguing "Cannon Shooting" folk activity during the Lantern Festival each year, where a mini castle is suspended atop a ten-meter bamboo pole. Contestants ignite firecrackers and toss them into the castle's entrances to trigger the preloaded explosives inside, competing for prizes from the event organizers.
