Dalongdong Baoan Temple Introduction
Dalongdong Baoan Temple was established in 1742 and rebuilt in 1805. It is dedicated to Emperor Baosheng and is commonly known as "Dalongdong Temple" or "Da Dao Gong Temple." It is a national historic site. Every year on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month, a special event called "Baosheng Cultural Festival" is held to celebrate the birth of Emperor Baosheng. This event lasts for two months and combines religious rituals, folk arts, guided tours of historic sites, arts and literature workshops, aesthetic competitions, family clan plays, street parades, fire walking, health care, and academic seminars. It is the largest and most vibrant temple fair in northern Taiwan, making Dalongdong a significant cultural hub. The decorative arts of Dalongdong Baoan Temple, such as stone lions, dragon columns, floral and avian motifs, paper-cutting, clay sculptures, painted pottery, wood carvings, and colorful murals, are renowned treasures, each possessing historical and artistic value. During its construction, two master craftsmen, Guo Ta and Chen Yingbin, were hired to create wood carvings, a reflection of healthy competition and collaborative spirit. Visitors can appreciate the works of both craftsmen on the left and right sides of the temple. The seven murals in the corridor of the main hall are the masterpieces of national treasure painter Pan Lishui, attracting domestic and international tourists who express their admiration. Dalongdong Baoan Temple has transformed from a local temple into a complex that integrates religion, culture, education, and art, significantly impacting the revitalization of local culture in the Datong District of Taipei City. The preservation and restoration of the historic architecture have garnered attention both domestically and internationally. Since its reconstruction, Dalongdong Baoan Temple has undergone multiple renovations, but due to its age, it has suffered from weathering and pests, which seriously affected the structural integrity of the building. To maintain cultural heritage, in 1995, the largest restoration project since its reconstruction was carried out. The temple raised all the funds independently and managed the project, becoming the first case of privately funded historic restoration in Taiwan. The restoration project received the "2003 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Culture" and was designated a national historic site in 2019. Sishikankan Street is located west of Dalongdong Baoan Temple on Hami Street. It was established in the 7th year of the Jiaqing era (1802) and completed the following year. At that time, major merchants such as Wang Zhiji of Dalongtong and Chen Lanji invested in establishing the "Jintongcheng" business, building a row of 22 Min-nan style shops on this street. Since each shop was called "kan" in Holo dialect, it was named Sishikankan. Each shop is uniform in size, measuring 1.77 meters wide and 3.5 meters deep, with a sky well (atrium) and interconnected corridors, creating a neatly arranged street surface. There are gates at both the east and west ends to prevent theft, with "Xiao Yi Xuan Ge" inscribed on the east and "Dalongtong" on the west. Due to economic prosperity, the street gradually expanded westward to "Neitudi Gong" (He'an Temple), resulting in the original Sishikankan Street being called "Dingjie" and the new shops being referred to as "Xiajie." Further reading: Introduction to the surrounding area of Sishikankan Street—Taipei Review Issue 615 (Strolling through Dalongdong District to Find the Brilliant Moments of Old Streets).
