Xinjian Wanggong Temple Introduction
The Eighteenth Wang Gong Temple is located on a hillside and is best known for the Eighteenth Loyal Dog Wang Gong, resembling Taiwan's version of Hachiko. The new Eighteenth Wang Gong Temple is not far from the old one, and its biggest feature is a statue of the "Black Dragon Loyal Dog," which is about ten stories high, sitting beside the temple. During the heyday of "Lai Hoo" and "Lotto," the temple's miraculous predictions attracted players from all over Taiwan, and even to this day, worshippers continue to flock there. The origin of the Eighteenth Wang Gong Temple is rooted in a touching story: it is said that in the mid-Qing Dynasty, seventeen merchants from Tangshan tragically perished at sea while crossing over to Taiwan, and their loyal dog also perished with them. The villagers, upon discovering this, built a tomb for the dog alongside the seventeen owners. It is said that the Eighteenth Wang Gong has a fondness for cigarettes, which has led some believers to offer cigarettes as sacrifices, creating an interesting phenomenon at the temple. After nightfall, worshippers gather in droves, making for a spectacular scene of strong incense offerings.
