Ducheng Huang Temple Introduction
The belief in Chenghuang has a long history in China. Originally, it served as the guardian deity of cities, but gradually evolved into a manager of the underworld, directing ghostly messengers to reward good and punish evil. Because of this, many people associate Chenghuang temples with a grim and terrifying image. However, the Taiwanese, who value ancestral respect, may consider Chenghuang as a medium for communication between the two worlds, allowing us to connect more closely with our ancestors in other realms. In the early years after Taiwan's retrocession, a group of local residents from Hsinchu and Miaoli settled in Pingtung for business and invited Chenghuang to serve as their guardian deity. Due to the inconvenience of returning periodically to the original temple in Hsinchu, the believers decided to sculpt their own statue for worship and built a temple in the 53rd year of the Republic, which was rebuilt to its current form in the 75th year. The Douchenghuang Temple consists of two sections, with the main body dedicated to Chenghuang. The new hall, completed in the 95th year of the Republic, enshrines the Five Roads God of Wealth and the Tai Sui Star Lord. Both structures are four stories tall, boasting a magnificent and impressive appearance. Every year, from May 11 of the lunar calendar, a three-day Prayer and Ritual Ceremony is held, along with a Universal Salvation Ceremony from July 8 to 10, which are two major annual events for the temple.
