Beishi Liao Bao'an Temple Introduction
Bao’an Temple, located in Beishiliao, Zhongliao Village, Fangliao Township, Pingtung County, was established in the 50th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1785), making it over two hundred years old. The temple is dedicated to Baosheng Dadi and is known as the best-preserved temple in Pingtung County. Bao’an Temple has a two-entrance, three-bay layout and features a structure comprising the San Chuan Hall, Main Hall, Dragon and Tiger Well, and worship pavilion. The temple's decorations were crafted by renowned artisans such as Huang Guili, Yang Xiuxing, Chen Jitang, and Zheng Zhencheng, focusing on mythical stories and historical figures through carving, painting, and paper-cutting, making it a temple with great historical significance and artistic value. According to temple history, during the Ming Dynasty, Beishiliao was a barren land with few inhabitants. The residents primarily lived by logging, fishing, and farming, with timber transported by boat to Cheng Tian Fu for sale. One night, while fishing at sea, the local ancestor Yang Kaishan inadvertently spotted a bright light on the shore. Driven by curiosity, he went ashore to investigate and discovered a bag of incense with the inscription "Baosheng Dadi Incense." He brought it home for worship, and miraculous occurrences began to happen, leading to an increasing number of devotees, which prompted the construction of the temple. Bao’an Temple has undergone several renovations and was rebuilt during the Japanese colonial Shōwa era, employing a method that divided different spaces for various artists to design and execute the work. The main artists at that time included the renowned Taiwanese carver Huang Guili and the master craftsman Yang Xiuxing from the Xidi faction in Quanzhou. Their unique styles and selected decorative themes significantly enhanced the cultural value of Bao’an Temple.
