Chishan Tianhou Temple Introduction
In the 1700s, in search of peace and spiritual solace, the ancestors invited the Matsu deity from Meizhou in mainland China to Fan Shu Liao (formerly known as Qishan). The locals worshiped the miraculous site, and it became widely known, leading many residents to invest together in the construction of the temple, which was completed in 1824, nearly 200 years ago. Inside the temple, there is a tablet inscribed with "Feng Xian," describing the events of a past settlement's eradication of bandits. There are also two tablets recording communal contributions for repairs, making them valuable historical materials for studying the development of Qishan. The Qishan Tianhou Temple, which has a bustling incense offering year-round, is the only existing temple from the Qing Dynasty period in the Qishan area and serves as the most important religious center for the people of Qishan. Due to the fervent worship, the face of the Matsu statue has become dark and shiny from the incense smoke. The temple features simple and elegant stone carvings, while the wood carvings and bronze sculptures are richly adorned, making it one of the must-visit attractions in Qishan.
