Xishe Xian Dian Introduction
When you first see it, you'll definitely be attracted by the character "㡣" above the temple, and you might wonder, "Is it a mistake, or is it a deliberately used character, or does this character not pronounce as the reading for 'dragon'?" In fact, this is an alternative form of "dragon," which is no longer used today, but it has the same meaning and pronunciation. This temple, located in a quieter part of Anping on Guosheng Road, was built in 1738 and is an ancient temple dedicated to the deity Chihfu Qiansui, who protects the residents of the Anping Wangcheng West community. Whether it's for seeking safety while going out to sea or for various rituals, the Xiyun Temple is indispensable. The temple houses many deities, with the most prominent being the large statues of Marshal Xie and Marshal Huang on either side of the main hall. Notably, the image of the Tudi Gong (Earth God) here is quite different from the commonly recognized one; he dons a melon-shaped hat and a gown and holds a large pipe. It is said that this image is carved in the likeness of a local gentleman - Wang Jishi, and because he holds a pipe, devotees often offer cigarettes as tribute, making it a major highlight for visitors. Behind the Qingyun Temple on the second floor, there is a narrow passage known as the Bird Passage - Anle Cave, which is said to grant safety if one passes through it. Those confident enough not to get stuck inside are encouraged to give it a try!
