Baoan Temple Introduction
The Bao'an Temple in Ruisui is the earliest Chenghuang Temple in the Hualien area. In 1889, Mr. Hsieh Fang-rong built a thatched hut and named it Bao'an Temple, dedicating it to the Chenghuang of Xiahai City. Bao'an Temple is located in Ruisui Fuyuan, an old place name known as "Bazi Village." Before the Han people arrived, the Amis tribe had already established a presence in the area. The location of Bao'an Temple lies on the boundary between the Han settlement and the indigenous tribe, making its geographical position significant in terms of ethnic relations. After several renovations, it has transformed into the current reinforced concrete structure, consisting of the main hall and side halls. Inside the temple, there is a brick-carved statue of Fude Zhengshen, and the Pangu Emperor tablet is housed in the shrine of the grain ancestors. The thirteenth day of the fifth lunar month is the birthday of the Chenghuang, and Bao'an Temple primarily venerates the Chenghuang of Xiahai, hosting grand celebrations and temple fairs every year. What sets Bao'an Temple apart is the custom of the Chenghuang conducting night patrols of the villages. On the night of the twelfth, various groups in the village come together to show support and travel around the village in vehicles; on the thirteenth day, the activities expand to a grand procession, reaching from Ruisui in the south to Dafu in the north, becoming the largest regional event. The annual "Secret Visit" event in Bazi Village is a highlight of the year, originally involving manpower to carry large drums, with performances and the sounds of firecrackers filling the air; today, it features a "Drum King Championship," promoting the exceptional drumming tradition of Bazi Village.
