Houliao Weiling Temple, Chimei Wangliao Stone God Introduction
Hou Liao Wei Ling Temple, which enshrines Emperor Baosheng, also known as Dadao Gong or Wu Zhenjun, was born in Huaji, with the name Yundong. His ancestral home is in Baijiao Village, Jishanli, Ming Sheng Township, Tong'an District, Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province, now part of Longhai District, Zhangzhou City. In his childhood, he was exceptionally intelligent and demonstrated a strong inclination toward Daoism. As he grew older, he became well-versed in astronomy, geography, music, and various texts, especially excelling in medicine, his medical fame gradually spreading among the people. The history of Hou Liao Wei Ling Temple in Baisha Township dates back over 400 years, marking the origin of the worship of Emperor Baosheng in the entire Penghu region. Emperor Baosheng's divine power and influence are immense, with his incense offerings gradually spreading to the North and South Liao villages in Huxi Township, where belief in him remains strong, with smoke rising as a symbol of faith and protective spirit over the entirety of Hou Liao. Established in the 30th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1602 AD), Hou Liao Wei Ling Temple has undergone many renovations and restorations over the years. After the establishment of the Republic, local gentry and village elders proposed a reconstruction, which took place for the second time in the 21st year of the Republic. After 63 years, it was reconstructed again following a fire in the 84th year of the Republic, with the reconstruction project starting in the 85th year and completed in the 87th year. The temple now stands majestic, opulent, and solemn, with historical reconstruction tablets set in one corner of the temple plaza. Beside Hou Liao Wei Ling Temple, there is also the largest stone tablet shaped like a "Shigandang" in Taiwan, standing nearly 200 centimeters tall, built in the 22nd year of Daoguang during the Qing Dynasty (1842 AD). The origin stems from the autumn and winter of the 21st year of Daoguang (1841 AD) when it was reported that the area between Hou Liao and Tongliang, known as "Feng Keng Kou," was plagued by mountain spirits and evil entities. The villagers, unable to bear the disturbances, prayed to Emperor Baosheng for guidance. Following his instructions, a tablet inscribed with "Chimei Wangliang" (with an extra character for rain) was erected to suppress the evil spirits and protect the settlement. It has indeed kept them at bay ever since. Initially placed at the site of the suppression, the tablet was later moved to the left side of the Wei Ling Temple and has undergone several renovations. From 2008 to 2009, three layers of the base were repaired, stone slabs were laid, and auspicious images such as deer and cranes were carved. Additionally, a pair of unicorns and guardrails were added for decoration. The "Chimei Wangliang" tablet is a century-old talisman, large in size and the most significant among Taiwan's talisman-like "Shigandang" structures, which uniquely symbolize the faith developed by the island residents. [Recommended stay time] 0.5 hours
The pavilion next to the Houliao Weiling Temple, with pillars in the shape of old temple-style tapered columns.
