Neipu Tianhou Temple Introduction
Neipu Tianhou Temple, dedicated to the Red-faced Matsu, is the oldest Matsu temple in the Liudui Hakka area. It was founded in the eighth year of the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty (1803 AD) and took over two years to complete, officially finishing in the tenth year of the Jiaqing period (1805 AD). The temple is not only a center of faith for the residents of Liudui but also served as an important place for the Liudui volunteers to discuss military strategies. With a history of over 100 years, Tianhou Temple retains many ancient plaques and stone tablets, which hold significant cultural and artistic value. It has been designated as a national third-level historic site and is a representative historical building in the Neipu area. Tianhou Temple consists of the front hall, worship hall, and main hall, forming a cross-shaped layout. Upon closer inspection of the temple beams, dragon columns, and roof supports, one can see the intricate carvings. Although the temple has undergone several renovations, its appearance and some decorative carvings have preserved their old style. For example, the dragon columns in the front hall and main hall are single-dragon carvings, characteristic of the early Qing carving style; the stone pillow in the front hall is rectangular, differing from the usual form; and the stone incense burner in the center of the main hall has a traditional Hakka design, with a rectangular stone slab placed on the ground, all showcasing the enduring ancient customs. In addition, Tianhou Temple features several plaques and stone tablets from the Qing Dynasty, such as the plaque from the tenth year of the Jiaqing period reading "Enbi Shuilu," the plaque from the eighth year of the Xianfeng period reading "Cihang Pujie," the plaque from the Guangxu period reading "Yutian Tonggong," the stone tablet "Fengjin Gu Lingpu," and the stone tablet "Construction of Tianhou Temple Inscription." These not only represent precious ancient artifacts but also serve as important historical materials documenting the development history of the Liudui Hakka community.
