Hsinchu City God Temple Introduction
Hsinchu City God Temple, located on Zhongshan Road in the North District of Hsinchu City, is designated as a historic site. It was established in 1748, initiated by the Tamsui magistrate Tseng Yai-ying. In 1875, after the split of Tamsui and Hsinchu, the Taipei prefecture was established, but the prefecture still remained in Hsinchu. Therefore, the City God was elevated to the position of the Prefectural City God, known as Weiling Gong, and it is well-known for its devout worship, earning the reputation of "Hsinchu City God and Beigang Matsu." The scale of the temple at that time was the largest in Taiwan, as the City God is the deity responsible for the rewards and punishments of the underworld and the living. Thus, the layout of the temple resembles that of an ancient government office; the food stalls in the temple courtyard have become a unique feature of Hsinchu. Hsinchu City God Temple has undergone several renovations, with the San Chuan Hall and the tiered roof being its most distinctive features. The large iron abacus hanging from the rafters is said to be used by the City God to calculate human sins, which is reflected in the couplets on both sides that read "Why bother to calculate too much about worldly affairs, the divine will take care of it all." The stone lions and other decorations in front of Hsinchu City God Temple also hold artistic value. The dragon columns are the work of renowned Northern Taiwan master Xin A-Jiu, showcasing exquisite and vivid craftsmanship. The octagonal coffered ceiling above the main entrance is the creation of master carpenter Wang Yishun from Quanzhou, which carries significant historical importance. Around the Lantern Festival each year, Hsinchu City God Temple, along with the neighboring Beimen Street and Changhe Temple, holds a lantern display featuring colorful and diverse lantern designs, making it a well-known Lantern Festival event in Hsinchu. In the lunar July, the welcoming ceremony for the City God is a grand local event, starting from the first day of July until the conclusion at Dongmen Market with the "Dongmen Pu" on the first day of August. The climax of the festivities occurs on the fifteenth day of the lunar month, which is the Ghost Festival, when the City God himself parades to offer assistance to wandering souls. The procession stretches for several kilometers, igniting excitement throughout Hsinchu City. Furthermore, on the twenty-ninth day of the eleventh lunar month, which is the birthday of the City God, a large influx of devotees gathers in Hsinchu City God Temple, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.
