Wanhua Temple Introduction
Wanhua Temple was established in the 23rd year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty, initiated by Zhang Guo, the general of Dinghai in Zhejiang, and funded by twelve surnames: Zhang, Liao, Jian, Lai, Huang, Jiang, He, Yang, Dai, Liu, Chen, and Lin, naming it Wanhua Temple. The "Matsu Culture Center" on the fifth floor of the Wanhua Cultural Building was established on October 24, 2004, under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture by the Wanhua Cultural and Educational Foundation. This is the first private local cultural center in Taichung City, showcasing five main areas: the historical trajectory of Nantun District, the glorious history of ramie, collection of precious items, ramie culture in Nantun, and a creative art gallery. It is positioned as a local history and folk culture museum. The "Matsu Culture Center" is open for visits on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar calendar, as well as weekends and holidays, with explanatory services provided by a volunteer tour guide team. The basement of the Wanhua Cultural Building houses a restaurant; the first floor contains offices, the second floor is a conference hall, the third floor is a library, the fourth floor is a museum of cultural relics, and the fifth floor is the Matsu Culture Center. The building faces the temple square of Wanhua Temple, backed by the banks of Lihoudian Creek, standing tall and impressive in appearance, surrounded by a serene environment. A one-story extension has been added to the top of the fifth floor to serve as an "Observation Tower," allowing a view of the beautiful scenery of Dadu Mountain to the west, the urban area of Taichung to the east, and an overview of the old streets of Nantun, creating a poetic atmosphere. With a long history and flourishing incense offerings, Wanhua Temple still preserves a unique and nearly two-hundred-year-old folk temple fair activity featuring the "Word Surname Opera." The performances of the Word Surname Opera began on the 21st day of the third month of the fifth year of Daoguang (April 25, 1825). The first day features Zhangzhou opera, the second day is Cantonese opera (including Chaozhou, Jiaying, Huizhou, etc.), the fourth day is Quanzhou opera, and the fifth day is Tingzhou opera. This is followed by performances of various surnames' Word Surname Opera, offerings to gods, and soldier operas, lasting one to two months, continuing through generations, becoming an important traditional folk activity in the area.
