Beishi Liao Baoan Temple Introduction
Bao'an Temple, located in Beishiliao, Zhongliao Village, Fangliao Township, Pingtung County, was founded in the 50th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1785 AD) and has a history of over 200 years. The main deity worshipped here is Baosheng Dadi, and it is the most well-preserved temple in Pingtung County. The temple features a two-entry three-bay layout, comprising structures such as the San Chuan Hall, main hall, Dragon and Tiger Well, and worship pavilion. The temple's decorations were crafted by renowned artists such as Huang Guei Li, Yang Xiu Xing, Chen Ji Tang, and Zheng Zhen Cheng, focusing on themes from mythology and historical figures through carving, painting, and cut-out art, making it a temple of profound historical and artistic value. According to temple records, Beishiliao was a barren and sparsely populated area during the Ming Dynasty, where residents mainly survived through logging, fishing, and farming. The timber harvested would be transported by boat to Chengtian Prefecture for sale. One night, local forefather Yang Kaishan was engaged in fishing operations at sea when he noticed a bright light onshore. Driven by curiosity, he went ashore to investigate and discovered a bag of incense featuring the inscription "Baosheng Dadi Incense." He took it home for worship, and soon after, miraculous events began to occur, attracting more followers, which led to the construction of the temple. Bao'an Temple has undergone several restorations and was rebuilt during the Japanese Era under the Shōwa period, where a unique method of spatial division was employed. Various artists from different backgrounds were invited to design and construct different sections of the temple. The main artists at that time were Huang Guei Li, a master carver from Taiwan, and Yang Xiu Xing, a master from the Xidi faction in Quanzhou, each bringing their distinctive styles and specialties to the decorative themes, further enhancing the cultural value of Bao'an Temple.
