Neipu Tianhou Temple Introduction
Neipu Tianhou Temple, dedicated to the Red-faced Mazu, is the oldest Mazu temple in the Liudui Hakka region. It was established in the eighth year of the Qianlong era (1803 AD) and took over two years to complete, officially finished in the tenth year of the Qianlong era (1805 AD). The temple is not only a center of faith for the residents of Liudui, but it was also an important place for the Liudui volunteers to discuss military strategies. With over 100 years of history, the temple still retains many ancient plaques and stone tablets within, showcasing its high 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 is divided into the front hall, worship hall, and main hall, forming a "工" shaped layout. A closer inspection of the temple beams, dragon columns, and roof supports reveals their exquisite carvings. Although the temple has undergone multiple renovations, its exterior and some decorative features still retain their original appearance. For instance, the dragon columns of the front and main halls are carved in a single-dragon style, characteristic of the early Qing sculpting style; the stone pillow in the front hall has a rectangular shape, different from the usual forms; and the stone incense burner in the center of the main hall is designed in traditional Hakka style, with a rectangular base stone placed on the floor, all of which reflect the ancient customs that have been passed down through the years. Additionally, Tianhou Temple has several plaques and stone tablets remaining from the Qing Dynasty, such as the plaque from the tenth year of the Jiaqing era that reads "恩庇水陸," the plaque from the eighth year of the Xianfeng era that says "慈航普濟," and those from the Guangxu period that state "與天同功," as well as the stone tablet "封禁古令埔" and "建造天后宮碑記." These are not only invaluable ancient relics but also important historical materials that document the development history of the Liudui Hakka community.
