Shibawang Temple Introduction
The full name of Shibawang Temple is Qianhua Shibawang Shrine, with Qianhua referring to Qianhua Village in Shimen District. Locally, it is known as Ali Pang. For a long time, the Shibawang Temple has had a strong worship tradition, legend says that during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, a sailing boat carrying 17 Fuzhou merchants and a dog unfortunately capsized while heading to Mount Putuo in Zhejiang. The boat drifted to Qianhua Village in Shimen, where all passengers drowned, except for the dog, which survived and was later discovered by residents with the surname Lian. The dog was buried at the foot of the mountain, and upon realizing its owner had perished, the dog followed suit and died, so the residents buried it together. Every festival thereafter, nearby residents would come to pay their respects, and over time they began to refer to the deity as Shibawang. It is said that from that time on, when fishermen in the village encountered dangerous situations, they often received help from the spirit of Shibawang, leading the people to collectively fund the construction of a small temple for worship. After the shrine was built, reports of miracles increased, and the devotees slowly expanded across the entire northern coast, eventually becoming a well-known shrine in northern Taiwan. Shibawang is unique in enshrining both humans and dogs; the common perception of dogs is one of loyalty, so many believe that as long as they sincerely worship the dog, they will earn its faithful companionship. To this day, the legend of Shibawang continues to make this small temple beside the mountain a popular sightseeing spot for travelers heading to the northern coast. People come seeking the legend, perhaps in search of miracles and blessings, and of course, there are also those drawn by the delicious aroma of zongzi, a specialty food from the area. It is said that the boatmen, seeking safety while sailing, used convenient zongzi for offerings. The combination of peanuts, preserved vegetables, mushrooms, and braised pork is a simple yet surprisingly delicious flavor, making it a must-have for visitors. The delicious zongzi has even become a specialty food of Shimen District, available for purchase throughout the streets of Shimen. Source: North Coast and Guanyin Mountain Scenic Area
