Taitung Tianhou Temple Introduction
The Taitung Tianhou Temple's history dates back to the 15th year of Guangxu (1889). At that time, Zhang Zhaolian, the governor of the Qing Dynasty, proposed to build the temple in gratitude to the Heavenly Mother for providing a miraculous spring that helped save the official military during the Dazhuang incident. He donated his monthly salary for its construction and received the plaque "You Cheng Zhao Ling" from the Guangxu Emperor, which still hangs in the temple today. It is the only official Mazu temple in Eastern Taiwan from the Qing Dynasty. The Taitung Tianhou Temple has been a center of faith for early immigrants and Han settlements during the Qing and Japanese colonial periods, and it continues to host various folk celebrations, such as the Mazu's birthday, the Lantern Festival processions, and the large-scale Peace Prayer Ceremony held every 12 years, making it an annual religious event in Taitung. Not only local residents participate, but many pilgrims from outside the area also join in. In addition to the Heavenly Mother, the Moon Elder at the Taitung Tianhou Temple is also known for being very effective, attracting many young couples seeking romantic relationships. After visiting the temple, there are several cafes in the nearby streets that serve hand-brewed coffee and desserts. Every Sunday, the Sihwei Night Market next to the temple is bustling with activity, offering various snacks, indigenous barbecue, game booths like ring toss and balloon shooting, ensuring entertainment for both adults and children.
