Dalongdong Bao'an Temple Introduction
Dalongdong Baoan Temple, established in 1742 and rebuilt in 1805, is dedicated to Baosheng Dadi and is commonly known as "Dalongdong Temple" or "Datou Gong Temple." It is a designated national historical site. Every year on the 15th day of the third lunar month, a two-month-long "Baosheng Cultural Festival" is held to celebrate the birthday of Baosheng Dadi. This festival combines religious ceremonies, folk arts, guided tours of historical sites, arts and cultural workshops, aesthetic competitions, family name operas, street processions, fire rituals, health care, and academic seminars. It is the largest and most vibrant temple festival in northern Taiwan, making Dalongdong an important cultural hub in the region. The decorative arts of Dalongdong Baoan Temple, such as stone lions, dragon columns, flowers, birds, paper cuttings, clay sculptures, Chaozhou porcelain, wood carvings, and colorful murals, are renowned artistic treasures, each with historical and artistic value. During its construction, artisans Guo Ta and Chen Yingbin were commissioned to create wood carvings, leading to a healthy competition of craftsmanship, which was popular at that time. Thus, when appreciating the decorative arts of the temple, one can enjoy the works of different artisans on both sides. The seven murals in the main hall's corridor are works of national treasure painter Pan Lishui, attracting domestic and international tourists who are captivated by their beauty. Dalongdong Baoan Temple has transformed from a local temple into a site that integrates religion, culture, education, and art, profoundly impacting the revitalization of local culture in the Datong District of Taipei. The restoration and conservation of its historical architecture have garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally. Since its reconstruction, Dalongdong Baoan Temple has undergone multiple renovations, yet due to its long history, it has suffered from weathering, insect damage, and safety concerns. To preserve this cultural asset, in 1995, the temple underwent the largest restoration project since its rebuilding, self-financed and managed, becoming the first case of privately funded historical site restoration in the country. This restoration project received the UNESCO "2003 Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Award" and was designated as a national historical site in 2019. 44 Kan Street is located to the west of Baoan Temple, along Hami Street, established in the seventh year of the Jiaqing Era (1802) and completed the following year. At that time, local merchants Wang Zhiji and Chen Lanji jointly established the "Jintong Cheng" business, building twenty-two houses in a row on this street in a Minnan-style shop. In Holo dialect, each shop is referred to as a "kan," leading to the name 44 Kan. Each shop is of equal size, measuring about 7.5 meters in width and extending deeply with three open-air courtyards, with connected colonnades. Each end has a gate to prevent theft, with signs reading "Xiao Yi Xuan Ge" on the east and "Da Long Tong" on the west. As the market thrived, development extended westward to "Nei Tu Di Gong" (He'an Temple), leading to the original 44 Kan Street being referred to as “Ding Street,” while the new shops became "Xia Street." For more information, refer to the surrounding introduction of 44 Kan Street—Taipei Illustrated Issue 615 (Exploring the Dalongdong Neighborhood and the Glorious Times of Old Streets).
