Bao'an Temple Introduction
The Bao'an Temple in Ruisui is the earliest city god temple in the Hualien area. In 1889, Mr. Hsieh Fang-Jung built a thatched hut and named it Bao'an Temple, dedicated to the city god of Xiahai. The temple is located in Ruisui Fuyuan, an area previously known as "Bazi Village," which was home to the Amis indigenous tribe long before Han settlers arrived. The location of Bao'an Temple sits right on the boundary between Han settlements and indigenous tribes, adding significant meaning to its role in the local community dynamics. Over the years, Bao'an Temple has undergone multiple renovations and now features a reinforced concrete structure, comprising the main hall and side halls. Inside the temple, there is a carved statue of the Earth God, and the inscription of Pangu is found within the shrine of the God of Grains. The 13th day of the 5th month in the lunar calendar marks the birthday of the city god. Bao'an Temple primarily worships the city god of Xiahai, and a grand temple fair and village procession are held annually. Notably, the tradition of the city god conducting night inspections within the community is unique to Bao'an Temple. On the night of the 12th, various groups within the village come together to support the festivities, traveling around the village in vehicles. On the 13th, the procession is expanded to encompass a larger area, from Ruisui to Dafu, becoming the largest event in the region. Each year, the "night visits" are a highlight of Bazi Village's calendar. In the past, participants would manually carry large drums, engaging in competitions, pasting red papers along the way, with the sounds of firecrackers ringing out. Today, the event features the "Drum King Contest," which aims to promote the rich drumming tradition of Bazi Village.
