Penghu Tianhou Temple Introduction
Penghu Tianhou Temple is the oldest Mazu temple in the Penghu region. The temple houses a stone tablet from the Ming Dynasty, which states "Shen Yourong decreed the expulsion of the Dutch pirate Wei Malang in the 32nd year of Emperor Wanli's reign (1604)," serving as evidence of its historical significance. This tablet is also the first stone tablet in the Penghu region. Throughout history, Tianhou Temple has been referred to as Niangma Temple, Niangniang Temple, Tianfei Temple, and Mazu Temple. The old name of Magong, Ma Gong, is derived from Mazu Temple. In the 22nd year of the Kangxi reign (1683), Fujian naval commander Shi Lang led troops to attack Penghu, defeating the Zheng army commander Liu Guoxuan. Shi Lang reported to the Qing Emperor that their victory was due to Mazu's spiritual help, and he requested a title upgrade. The Qing court granted the request, and the following year, Mazu was officially granted the title of Tianhou. Since the Qing Dynasty, Mazu Temple has undergone several renovations, including a complete reconstruction in the 11th year of the Taisho era (1922), transforming Tianhou Temple into its current grand appearance. The architectural structure of Tianhou Temple consists of the San Chuan Hall, Main Hall, and Qingfeng Pavilion, separated by courtyards and linked by protective dragon motifs and corridors, with the temple gradually ascending according to the terrain. The temple square was once the front market of Qijie Yishi.
Penghu Mazu Temple Lantern Festival
Penghu Tianhou Temple
