Li Jiangjun Temple (Shanglin Jiangjun Temple) Introduction
The General Li Temple is located in Shanglin Village, Little Kinmen, near the two major lakes of Little Kinmen - Xihu and Lingshui Lake. It primarily worships General Li, Chengguan Ye, and Dajing Ye, and was established in the mid-Ming Dynasty. According to legend, General Li led troops and civilians to Little Kinmen to raise livestock and cultivate land, showing kindness to the people and possessing divine powers, able to call upon tree leaves as weapons, successfully repelling pirates and earning great popularity among the people. Therefore, a temple was built at the place he landed and at the locations regularly invaded by pirates, both to ward off evil and to express gratitude for his benevolence. It is said that during the 823 Artillery Battle, Little Kinmen was bombarded heavily, yet the General Li Temple remained unscathed, which is quite remarkable. In front of the temple, there are large banyan trees and casuarinas, making it a suitable place to enjoy the shade in summer while also offering a view of the sea. Directly ahead is Shanglin Beach, which features a pavilion and a viewing bridge, providing the best spot to overlook the mainland with a broad view, as well as the nearby islands of Dadan, Erdan, and Lion Islet.
