Dalongdong Bao'an Temple Introduction
Dalongdong Bao'an Temple, founded in 1742 and rebuilt in 1805, is dedicated to Baosheng Dadi and is commonly known as "Dalampeng Temple" or "Dadaogong Temple." It is a national historic site. Every year on the 15th day of the third lunar month, a two-month event called the "Baosheng Cultural Festival" is held to celebrate the birthday of Baosheng Dadi. This festival combines religious rites, folk skills, historic site tours, arts and cultural workshops, aesthetic competitions, family surname operas, street processions, fire walking, health care, and academic symposiums. It is the largest and liveliest temple fair event in northern Taiwan, making Dalongdong an important cultural center in the region. The decorative arts of Dalongdong Bao'an Temple, such as stone lions, dragon columns, floral and bird motifs, paper-cutting, clay sculptures, traditional ceramics, wood carvings, and colored murals, are renowned artistic treasures, each with historical and artistic value. When the temple was built, craftsmen Guo Ta and Chen Yingbin were commissioned to create wood carvings, engaging in creative competition known as "duchang" at that time. Therefore, when appreciating the decorative arts of the temple, visitors can enjoy works from different craftsmen on both sides. The seven murals in the main hall corridor are the works of national treasure-level painter Pan Lishui, attracting domestic and international tourists who are captivated and impressed. Dalongdong Bao'an Temple has transformed from a local temple into a place that integrates religion, culture, education, and art, having a profound impact on the revitalization of local culture in the Datong District of Taipei City. Particularly, the historic architecture and its restoration have garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally. Since its reconstruction, Dalongdong Bao'an Temple has undergone multiple renovations and expansions. However, due to its old age, it has suffered from the elements and pests, severely impacting its structural integrity and safety. In order to preserve cultural assets, the largest restoration project since its reconstruction was carried out in 1995, funded entirely through public fundraising and managed independently, making it the first case of privately funded historic site restoration in the country. The restoration project received the "2003 Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Award" from UNESCO and was designated a national historic site in 2019. The 44th Lane is located on Hami Street, west of the Bao'an Temple, founded in the 7th year of the Jiaqing era (1802) and completed the following year. At that time, businesses like Dalongtong Wang Zhi Ji and Chen Lan Ji jointly established the "Jintongcheng" trading house and built a row of southern Fujian-style storefronts along this street, totaling 22 on each side. In Holo language, a store is referred to as one "kan," hence it is called 44th Lane. Each store is of the same size, measuring 1.7 meters wide and each having a length of one entrance and three compartments separated by a waterway (courtyard), with their "tingzaijia" (arcade) interconnected, creating a neat and uniform street facade. Each side has a narrow gate to prevent theft, with "Xiao Yi Xuan Ge" inscribed on the east and "Dalongtong" on the west. Later, as business flourished, the area gradually developed westward towards the "Nei Tudi Gong" (He'an Temple), leading to the original 44th Lane being referred to as "Ding Street" and the new businesses as "Xia Street."
