Li Jiangjun Temple (Shanglin Jiangjun Temple) Introduction
Li General Temple is located in Shanglin Village, Little Kinmen, near the two major lakes of Little Kinmen - Xihu Lake and Lingshui Lake. It primarily worships General Li, Changguan Ye, and Dongjing Ye, and was built in the mid-Ming Dynasty. According to legends, General Li led soldiers and civilians to cultivate and reclaim land in Little Kinmen, caring for the people and possessing divine power, able to summon leaves as soldiers and successfully repel pirates, winning the people's hearts. Thus, later generations built a temple at the site of his landing and where pirates frequently invaded, to ward off evil and express gratitude for his righteous deeds. It is said that during the 823 Artillery Bombardment, Little Kinmen was bombarded heavily, yet Li General Temple remained unscathed, which is quite astonishing. In front of the temple, there are large banyan trees and Casuarina equisetifolia that provide shade for relaxation in the summer and offer a view of the sea. In front lies Shanglin Beach, which features a pavilion and a viewing bridge, making it the best spot to overlook the mainland with a broad vista that also includes the islands of Dadan, Erdan, and Lion Islet.
