Shih Tiangong Temple Introduction
The full name of Shibawangkong Temple is Qianhua Shibawangkong Shrine, with Qianhua referring to its location in Qianhua Village, Shimen District. The local residents refer to it as Ali Pang. The Shibawangkong Temple has long been well-known for its flourishing incense offerings. According to legend, during the Tongzhi period of the Qing dynasty, a sailing boat carrying 17 Fuzhou merchants and a dog capsized on its way to Mount Putuo in Zhejiang. The vessel drifted to Qianhua Village in Shimen, and everyone on board drowned, except for the dog, who survived. After being discovered by a resident with the surname Lian, the dog was buried at the foot of the mountain. The dog, grieving over the loss of its master, also perished and was subsequently buried alongside the merchants. Every year during festivals, local residents would offer incense and worship, eventually referring to the deity as Shibawangkong. It is said that from that time on, when fishermen faced danger at sea, they often encountered the manifestation of Shibawangkong, who would save them. As a result, the local community pooled resources to build a small temple for worship. After the construction of the shrine, the number of miraculous events increased, and the following of devotees gradually expanded across the northern coast, ultimately making it a well-known shrine in northern Taiwan. Shibawangkong is worshipped with shared offerings of humans and dogs, as the common perception of dogs is loyalty. Many believe that as long as they sincerely worship the dog, they will receive its loyal companionship. To this day, the legend of Shibawangkong continues to make this small temple beside the mountain a popular tourist destination for travelers along the northern coast. People come to explore the legend, seek blessings and protection, and many are drawn by the aroma of the delicious zongzi, a specialty of the area. It is said that the boatmen used to offer zongzi as a prayer for safety while sailing at sea, as it was convenient to carry. With a filling of peanuts, preserved vegetables, mushrooms, and braised pork, this seemingly simple combination offers an extraordinary taste that makes it a must-have for visitors. The delicious zongzi has even become a specialty of the Shimen area, readily available at various shops along the streets of Shimen District. Source: North Coast and Guanyinshan Scenic Area
