Changli Shrine Introduction
Changli Temple is a Hakka temple built by the Hakka people in the Neipu area, and its founding can be traced back to a historical event during the Tang Dynasty. Han Yu, known posthumously as Han Changli, was a master of poetry and prose and a proponent of the revival of classical literature; he is regarded as a highly respected Confucian scholar of the Tang Dynasty and recognized as the foremost figure of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties. However, after submitting a memorial opposing Tang Xianzong’s welcoming of Buddhist relics, he was demoted from the Vice Minister of Justice to the Governor of Chaozhou. Upon taking office, Han Yu was concerned about the people's grievances and actively promoted education, which deeply touched the hearts of the Hakka people who were able to receive an education at that time. Later, this group of Hakka people immigrated to Neipu and built Changli Temple to express their gratitude, making it the only temple in Taiwan dedicated to Han Yu. According to the temple's records, the "Reconstruction Record of Neipu Changli Temple," the temple was initiated in 1803 by the then District Military Officer Zhong Linjiang. The original design of Changli Temple was simple and elegant, embodying the style of literati. It has undergone several renovations, and during the renovation in the 68th year of the Republic, some structures were changed to reinforced concrete, which caused the temple to lose its classical charm. Nevertheless, Changli Temple still retains many historical artifacts worth savoring. At the side entrance of the temple, there is a stone tablet issued during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty titled "Prohibition of Immigration in Gulingpu." Gulingpu referred to the wasteland between the Donggang River and the Ailian Creek in Neipu in earlier years. Due to past conflicts where incoming immigrants cultivated wasteland and faced harm from local residents, the government issued this order to prohibit immigrants from cultivating the land, only allowing the plains indigenous peoples to farm freely to prevent future troubles. The temple hall is simply arranged, with Han Yu as the main deity in the center, flanked by Han Xiang and Zhao De on either side. On the mottled yellow walls, the four characters "Loyalty, Filial Piety, Integrity, and Righteousness" can be seen, along with many copies of exam admission tickets hanging. In its early years, Changli Temple was a cultural and educational center in the Neipu area, often inviting renowned teachers to lecture, which further flourished the literary culture of the Six Piles. Changli Temple became a place for students to pray for academic success, and the Pingtung County Government often holds a series of cultural festivals dedicated to Han Yu to ensure the continued transmission of Hakka culture.
