Beishiliao 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 AD) and has a history of over 200 years. The temple is primarily dedicated to the deity Baosheng Dadi and is the most well-preserved temple in Pingtung County. Bao'an Temple features a two-courtyard, three-bay structure, consisting of the San Chuan Hall, Main Hall, Dragon and Tiger Well, and Worship Pavilion. The temple's decorations were created by renowned artists including Huang Guili, Yang Xiuxing, Chen Jitang, and Zheng Zhencheng, using themes from mythology and historical figures to showcase carvings, paintings, and paper-cutting, making it a temple with a long history and high artistic value. According to temple history, Beishiliao was a barren and sparsely populated area during the Ming Dynasty, where the residents primarily made a living through logging, fishing, and farming. The timber they cut was transported by boat to sell in Chengtian Prefecture. One night, a local ancestor, Yang Kaishan, noticed a bright light on the shore while fishing at sea. Driven by curiosity, he went ashore to investigate and discovered a bag of incense with the words "Baosheng Dadi Incense" written on it. He brought it home for worship, and soon after, miraculous occurrences began, attracting more and more devotees, leading to the establishment of the temple. Bao'an Temple has undergone multiple renovations and was rebuilt during the Japanese occupation in the Showa era, particularly using the method of front and rear design, which involved dividing spaces and inviting different factions of artists to design and create. The main artists during that time were the famous Taiwanese carver Huang Guili and master Yang Xiuxing from the Quanzhou Xidi faction. Both had distinctive styles and expertise in their chosen decorative themes, further enhancing the cultural value of Bao'an Temple.
