Hsinchu City Cheng Huang Temple Introduction
Hsinchu City Chenghuang Temple is located on Zhongshan Road in the North District of Hsinchu City. It is designated as a city historical monument, founded in 1748, proposed by the Tamsui magistrate Tseng Yuying. In 1875, the administration of Tamsui and Hsinchu was separated, and the Taipei Prefecture was established, but the prefecture’s seat remained in Hsinchu, leading to the elevation of Chenghuang Ye to the title of the prefectural Chenghuang - Weiling Gong. The temple has a bustling incense trade and is renowned for the saying, "Hsinchu Chenghuang Ye, Beigang Mazu Po." At the time of its establishment, the temple was the largest in Taiwan, specifically responsible for overseeing the rewards and punishments in the underworld and the mortal realm, which is why the layout of the Chenghuang Temple resembles that of an ancient government office. The food stalls in the temple courtyard have become a unique feature of Hsinchu. Hsinchu City Chenghuang Temple has undergone multiple renovations, with the San-chuan Hall and the three-tiered roof being the most distinctive features. A large iron abacus hangs from the beams, said to be used by Chenghuang to calculate earthly sins, hence the couplets on either side read, “Why bother with many calculations in worldly affairs? The divine has its grand measures.” The stone lions and other carvings in front of the Hsinchu City Chenghuang Temple hold artistic value, with the dragon columns being the work of renowned Northern Taiwan master Xin Ajiu, showcasing exquisite and vivid craftsmanship. The octagonal coffered ceiling above the entrance, crafted by master carpenter Wang Yishun from Quanzhou Huian, carries significant historical meaning. Around the Lantern Festival each year, Hsinchu City Chenghuang Temple, along with the nearby Beimen Street and Changhe Palace, showcases colorful lantern displays, allowing the public to appreciate various styles of lantern works, making it a well-known Lantern Festival event in Hsinchu. Moreover, the welcoming ceremony for Chenghuang in the seventh lunar month is a major event in the local community, lasting from the first day of July until the wrap-up at the Dongmen Market on the first day of August. The climax of the events occurs on the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the ghost festival, when Chenghuang Ye makes a parade, providing relief to wandering souls and spirits. The procession stretches several kilometers, causing the entire Hsinchu City to be bustling with excitement. On the twenty-ninth day of the eleventh lunar month, celebrating Chenghuang Ye’s birthday, Hsinchu City Chenghuang Temple sees a massive influx of devotees, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
