Taitung Tienhou Temple Introduction
The Taitung Tianhou Temple's history can be traced back to the 15th year of the Guangxu era (1889). The then Qing Dynasty governor Zhang Zhaolian, in gratitude for the blessings from the Mazu (Heavenly Mother) during the Dazhuang incident, donated his monthly salary to propose the construction of the temple, and was granted a plaque inscribed with "Youcheng Zhaoling" by Emperor Guangxu, which is still hung 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 thriving center of faith for early immigrants and Han communities during the Qing dynasty and Japanese occupation periods, and it regularly hosts various folk celebrations today, such as Mazu's birthday, Lantern Festival processions, and the large-scale annual prayer rituals held once every 12 years, which are major religious events in the Taitung area. Not only local residents participate, but many visitors from outside also join the celebrations. In addition to the Heavenly Mother, the Lunar Old Man (Yuexia Laoren) at the Taitung Tianhou Temple is also known for his effectiveness in matchmaking, attracting many young men and women seeking romantic relationships. After worshiping, there are several well-maintained cafes in the nearby streets that offer hand-brewed coffee and desserts. Every Sunday, the nearby Siwei Night Market is bustling with activity, featuring a variety of snacks, indigenous barbecue, ring toss games, balloon shooting, and many other game stalls that cater to both adults and children.
