Chien Yun Temple Introduction
Jieyun Temple is located on Ximen Street in Banqiao District and is dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva. It originated as Ciyun Rock, established in the Yongzheng period at Shibi Lake in Zhonghe, making it over two hundred years old if counted from this time. In the third year of the Xianfeng era, Ciyun Rock was burned down by people from Quanzhou. In the sixth year of Xianfeng, Lin Guofang from Banqiao welcomed the temple and moved it to the northwest corner of Banqiao City. Later, due to the construction of the Lin Benyuan residence, it was moved again to its current location for worship. Since then, Jieyun Temple has replaced the former Ciyun Rock as the center of faith for the residents of Bazhi Thirteen Villages (now including Banqiao, Zhonghe, Yonghe, and Tucheng). The name Jieyun means "welcoming" and "receiving incense." The destruction of Ciyun Rock and its relocation to Banqiao indicates that under the development of the Lin family, Banqiao had replaced Zhonghe as the center of commerce, faith, and self-defense at that time. The temple houses many valuable ancient plaques and couplets, and the sides of the main hall's roof are adorned with numerous gilded wooden carvings of flying celestial beings, which are very eye-catching. Additionally, the distinctive elongated oval coffered ceiling design reflects significant historical and religious value.
