Bishanyan Kaizhang Shengwang Temple Introduction
Bishanyan is located on Bishan Mountain in Neihu. The temple enshrines the national hero of the Min people, Chen Yuan-Guang, along with his generals Li Bo-Yao and Ma Ren. Chen Yuan-Guang is known for pioneering the Zhangzhou area in Fujian during the late Tang dynasty and is regarded as the guardian deity of Zhangzhou, honored as the “Holy King of Kaizhang.” Bishanyan is one of the largest temples dedicated to the Holy King of Kaizhang in Taiwan, enjoying a thriving worship scene. According to legend, a person from Zhangzhou named Huang brought his family across the sea to Taiwan for land reclamation and found the site to be an exceptionally good location. He hung the incense he carried with him in a stone cave to pay homage before leaving. However, the area soon fell victim to rampant banditry, causing great suffering among the local populace. In 1751, as the bandits planned to attack the top of the mountain, they suddenly saw radiant light shining from the summit and heard the sound of war drums. It turned out that the incense hanging in the mountain had manifested into three stone deities: the large piece being the Holy King, while the two smaller pieces represented Generals Li and Ma. Rocks began to roll down the mountain, frightening the bandits who fled in panic. Nearby residents came to worship upon hearing the news and were indeed blessed by the deities, leading to the construction of a small stone chamber temple. As the number of worshippers increased, the original small temple could no longer accommodate the crowds, prompting the construction of a main hall at the same site. After experiencing several natural disasters and undergoing multiple renovations, with the efforts of many local residents, believers, and the temple management committee, the temple has expanded to its current size. Bishanyan, standing high on the mountain, overlooks the Taipei Basin, and from the temple's platform, one can see the winding Tamsui River, Lishi Mountain, and terraced fields, presenting a harmonious interplay of water and scenery. At night, visitors can enjoy a stunning view of the Taipei Basin, taking in the beautiful night scenes of Taipei 101, the Grand Hotel, and Songshan Airport.
