Neipu Tianhou Temple Introduction
Neipu Tianhou Temple is dedicated to the Red-faced Mazu and is the oldest Mazu temple in the Liudui Hakka region. It was established in the eighth year of the Jiaqing era (1803 AD), taking over two years to complete, with its official completion in the tenth year of Jiaqing (1805 AD). The temple serves not only as a center of faith for the residents of Liudui but also as an important place for discussions among the Liudui volunteer army. With a history of over 100 years, the Tianhou Temple retains many ancient plaques and stone tablets, possessing significant cultural and artistic value. It has been designated as a national historic site of level three and is representative of the historical architecture in the Neipu area. The Tianhou Temple consists of a front hall, a worship hall, and the main hall, forming a工字-shaped layout. A closer look at the temple beams, dragon columns, and roof supports reveals intricate carvings. Although the temple has undergone multiple renovations, its exterior and some decorative details have retained their original appearance. For instance, the dragon columns in the front and main halls feature single dragon carvings, which belong to the carving style of the early Qing dynasty. Additionally, the stone pillow in the front hall has a rectangular shape, differing from typical forms, and the stone incense burner in the center of the main hall reflects traditional Hakka style, with a long rectangular stone mat placed on the floor—these elements all convey enduring ancient customs. Furthermore, the Tianhou Temple houses many plaques and stone tablets from the Qing dynasty, such as the plaque from the tenth year of Jiaqing, "恩庇水陸", the plaque from the eighth year of Xianfeng, "慈航普濟", the plaque from the Guangxu period, "與天同功", the stone tablet "封禁古令埔", and the "建造天后宮碑記" stone tablet, among others. These are not only invaluable antiquities but also serve as important historical materials documenting the development of the Hakka community in Liudui.
