Maguang Chenghuang Temple Introduction
The Penghu area has two official City God Temples. Early development in Penghu was focused around the Wenao area, which had limited space for growth. With the development of Magong (now Matsu), the Qing dynasty relocated the Penghu Prefecture office to Magong, constructing the Magong City and establishing the Magong City God Temple, which is now designated as a Level 3 historical site by the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of China. During the Guangxu period, when the French military invaded Penghu, residents fleeing encountered artillery fire, and they could only pray for the protection of the City God. At that moment, a heavy rain fell, preventing the French shells from exploding, allowing the people to escape disaster. After the peace negotiations in the Sino-French War, the Qing court, moved by the miracle of the City God Temple, conferred the title of "Spiritually Responsive Duke," hence the plaque "Imperially Granted Spiritually Responsive Duke" is hung in the temple. The inner hall displays a plaque granted by Guangxu with the inscription "Achievement in Defense," which bears the seal engraved with "Treasure of Guangxu's Handwriting." The City God Temple is oriented north to south, featuring the San-Chuan Hall, Worship Pavilion, and Main Hall in sequence, with side rooms connected, forming a square layout. The most striking features upon entering the San-Chuan Hall are the two warning plaques presented by Inspector Cheng Bang-ji: "You Have Arrived" and "Latecomers Regret." On the walls of the side rooms, the characters "Promoting Good" and "Punishing Evil" are inscribed, enshrining Generals Fan and Xie, along with civil and military leaders.
Maguang Chenghuang Temple
Mazu Chenghuang Temple
