Hou Liao Wei Ling Temple, Chi Mei Wang Liang Stone God Introduction
Hou-Liao Wei-Ling Temple is dedicated to the Baosheng Dadi, also known as Dadaogong or Wu Zhenjun, whose courtesy name is Huaji and nickname is Yundong. He originates from Baijiao Village, Jishan Li, Mingsheng Township, Tong'an District, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, which is now part of the Longhai District, Zhangzhou City. He was exceptionally intelligent in his youth, inherently possessing a Daoist nature, and as he grew, he became knowledgeable in astronomy, geography, and various classic texts, particularly excelling in medicine, which gradually spread his medical reputation among the people. The history of the Hou-Liao Wei-Ling Temple in Baisha Township dates back over 400 years, making it the origin of the worship of Baosheng Dadi in Penghu. Baosheng Dadi's divine power is renowned, and the incense offerings have since spread to the villages of Nanbailiao in Huxi Township, where his faith remains robust, with incense burning continuously. He is considered the guardian deity of the entire Hou-Liao area. The temple was established in the 30th year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1602 AD) and has undergone multiple repairs and renovations over the years due to changes in dynasties and the passage of time. After the establishment of the Republic of China, local gentry and village elders proposed a reconstruction which took place for the second time in the 21st year of the Republic (1932). After 63 years, a fire occurred in the 84th year of the Republic (1995), leading to a reconstruction project that began in the 85th year (1996) and was completed in the 87th year (1998). The temple now stands grand and magnificent, and a plaque commemorating previous renovations is displayed in one corner of the temple courtyard. Adjacent to the Hou-Liao Wei-Ling Temple is the largest Stele of Shigandang in Taiwan, standing nearly 200 centimeters tall, constructed during the 22nd year of the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty (1842 AD). The origin of this stele dates back to the autumn and winter of the 21st year of Daoguang (1841 AD), when villagers facing disturbances caused by mountain spirits in the area between Hou-Liao and Tongliang (known as Fengkengkou) prayed to Baosheng Dadi for guidance. Following Baosheng Dadi's instructions, they had a stele inscribed with the characters "Chimei Wangliao" (with an additional rain radical) erected to quell the evil spirits and protect the land and its people. Indeed, these disturbances have since ceased. Originally placed at the site of suppression, the stele was later moved to the left side of the Wei-Ling Temple and has undergone multiple repairs, including the construction of a three-tiered base between 2008 and 2009, with stone slabs and auspicious engravings such as deer and cranes, as well as a pair of qilins and protective railings enhancing its appearance. The "Chimei Wangliao" stele is a century-old talisman and is the largest of its kind in Taiwan, while the "Shigandang" is a unique representation of faith developed by the island residents. [Recommended Stay Duration] 0.5 hours
The pavilion next to the Houliao Weiling Temple features old temple-style tapered pillars.
