Beishiliao Bao'an Temple Introduction
Located in Beishiliao, Zhongliao Village, Fangliao Township, Pingtung County, Baoan Temple was established in the 50th year of the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty (1785), making it over 200 years old. The temple primarily honors Baosheng Dadi, and it is regarded as the best-preserved temple in Pingtung County. Baoan Temple features a two-compound, three-bay structure, including the San Chuan Hall, main hall, Longhu Well, and worship pavilion. The temple's decorations were created by well-known artists Huang Guili, Yang Xiuxing, Chen Jitang, and Zheng Zhengcheng, who used themes from mythology and historical figures to express through carving, painting, and cut-and-paste techniques, making it a temple of great historical and artistic value. According to the temple's history, during the Ming Dynasty, Beishiliao was a barren land with sparse population. The residents primarily engaged in logging, fishing, and farming, with harvested timber transported to Cheng Tian Fu for sale. One night, local ancestor Yang Kaishan was fishing at sea when he accidentally saw a bright light on the shore. Driven by curiosity, he went ashore to investigate and found a bag of incense with the inscription "Baosheng Dadi Incense." He brought it home for worship, and soon miraculous occurrences began, attracting more and more devotees, leading to the establishment of the temple for worship. Baoan Temple has undergone multiple renovations and was rebuilt during the Japanese occupation in the Shōwa era. At that time, a unique method called "dui chang" was employed, which involves dividing the space into different areas and inviting artists from various factions to design and construct their own parts. The main artists for Baoan Temple during this time were renowned Taiwanese stone carving master Huang Guili and Quanzhou's Xidi school master Yang Xiuxing. Both artists brought their distinct styles and preferred decorative themes, enhancing the cultural value of Baoan Temple even further.
