Kaohsiung Fengyi Kaizhang Shengwang Temple Introduction
The Kaizhang Sheng Wang Temple, located on Zhongyi Street in Fengshan, Kaohsiung, was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and has a history of over 200 years. It ranks among the four major ancient temples in Fengshan District, alongside Shuangci Pavilion, Chenghuang Temple, and Longshan Temple. The temple primarily enshrines Chen Yuanguang, a military hero from the Tang Dynasty who pacified the southern tribes during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. It also houses statues of General Ma Ren and General Li Boyao, and the colorful paintings of the temple’s door gods are the works of national treasure painter Pan Lishui. Despite undergoing several renovations over the past two centuries, it retains many intricately crafted stone carvings. The temple is grand in scale and has a solemn atmosphere, preserving a strong sense of ancient simplicity. With its flourishing incense offerings and miraculous occurrences, the temple serves as an important center of faith for the local community and is one of the largest Kaizhang Sheng Wang Temples in Taiwan. The spacious plaza outside the temple has also become an important venue for various competitive performances and celebratory events such as weddings.
