Hsinchu City God Temple Introduction
Hsinchu City God Temple is located on Zhongshan Road in the North District of Hsinchu City. It is designated as a city historic site and was established in 1748, advocated by Tamsui's magistrate Tseng Yeh-ying. In 1875, with the division of Tamsui and Hsinchu and the establishment of Taipei Prefecture, the city god was promoted to the status of the prefectural city god – Weiling Gong. It enjoys a significant following and is known for the saying "Hsinchu City God, Beigang Mazu." At the time of its establishment, the temple was the largest in Taiwan, serving as the god who judges good and evil between the underworld and the mortal realm; thus, the layout of the temple resembles that of an ancient government office. The market food stalls in front of Hsinchu City God Temple have become one of Hsinchu's unique features. The temple has undergone multiple renovations, with the San-Chuan Hall and the three-tiered roof being the most distinctive features. The large iron abacus hanging from the beams is said to have been used by the city god to calculate human sins, with couplets on either side stating, "Why calculate too much in worldly matters, the divine has its way of great resolution." The stone lions and other sculptures in front of Hsinchu City God Temple hold artistic value; the dragon columns are works by the famous Northern Taiwan master Xin Ah-jui, showcasing exquisite and lively carving. The octagonal coffered ceiling above the main entrance was created by Wang Yishun, a master carpenter from Quanzhou, and is of significant historical relevance. Every year around the Lantern Festival, Hsinchu City God Temple, along with the nearby Beimen Street and Changhe Temple, features vibrant lantern displays, allowing the public to appreciate lantern works in various styles, making it a well-known Lantern Festival event in Hsinchu. The welcoming ceremony for the city god during the seventh month of the lunar calendar is a major local event that runs from the first day of July to the wrap-up at the Dongmen Market's "Dongmen Pu" on the first day of August. The climax occurs on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, known as the Zhongyuan Festival, when the city god makes a grand procession to offer aid to wandering souls. With a procession that spans several kilometers, the entire city of Hsinchu comes alive with excitement. On the twenty-ninth day of the eleventh lunar month, the city god's birthday sees an influx of devotees at Hsinchu City God Temple, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.
