Xia Taishan Rock Introduction
Xia Taishan Rock, also known as Xia Miao and Xianying Patriarch Taishan Rock, is located in the Taishan District. There are two Taishan Rocks in Taishan District; the higher one is called Ding Taishan due to the elevated terrain in the southwest, while the lower one is referred to as Xia Taishan. Both temples dedicate their worship to the same main deity, Xianying Patriarch. Ding Taishan Rock was established during the Qing Dynasty in the Qianlong period at Qizi Foot, approximately 250 years ago, by Li Fujishi's grandfather Xu Yan and uncle Xu Yuan from Anxi, Quanzhou, Fujian, who were invited to Taiwan for worship. Due to the flourishing incense offerings and increasing number of followers, the population of believers in the Xia Taishan area felt it was inconvenient to travel to Ding Taishan, leading to the idea of establishing a branch temple. Thus, 128 years ago, in the first year of the Guangxu era (1875), two directors, Huang Yonglai and Cai Wuzhu, advocated for the creation of the Xia Taishan Rock and received donations from believers to fund the establishment. Xia Taishan Rock was expanded in the 10th year of the Taisho era (1921) and renovated in the 56th year of the Republic of China, with the work completed in the 65th year. Further renovations were made in the 71st year, including adjustments to the temple's circular pillars. The tablet recording the renovations during the Taisho period is embedded in the wall of the bell and drum tower, documenting the names of donors, amounts contributed, materials used, and financial details. On the left and right walls of the front hall are records of the renovations established in the 65th year of the Republic of China. In front of the temple yard is the Taishan Bridge monument, and there is a stage across the street. The couplet on the stage reads: "If false, if true, acting out joy and sorrow, whether ancient or modern, distinguishing good from evil and loyalty from treachery."
