Shilin Ci'an Temple Introduction
Shilin Ciyuan Temple, also known as Shilin Mazu Temple, is dedicated to the Heavenly Mother and is located within the famous Shilin Night Market. The temple was originally built in 1796 (the first year of the Jiaqing era during the Qing Dynasty) on land donated by the local businessman He Jintang and was initially called Tianhou Temple. In 1859 (the ninth year of the Xianfeng era), a conflict between the Zhang and Quan factions caused a fire that devastated Zhilan Street, resulting in the destruction of Tianhou Temple as well. After the old street was burned, local gentry Pan Yongqing advocated for relocating and constructing a new street, which received the support of most of the residents. Thus, a decision was made to build the new street in the lower Shilin area, which is today’s Shilin New Street. The central area of the block was planned as the site for the temple, which is now the location of Ciyuan Temple. The temple features a typical two-hall, two-corridor, and two-dragon protection structure, arranged in a way that forms five courtyards. The two halls are connected by a water corridor that connects the two dragon protections, exemplifying a traditional Minnan-style temple. The roof of the third hall, known as the San Chuan Hall, adopts the style of a "prince's tower" with a hip and gabled roof. The central door’s octagonal column with a coiling dragon was constructed during the Guangxu era, while the qilin motifs on both sides date back to 1828. The intricate paintings of palace maids and door gods Weiqi Gong and Qin Shubao on the doors are the works of the important contemporary craftsman Chen Yufeng. Next to the main hall, there is a stone wall depicting the old streets of Shilin, evoking memories of the bygone streetscape of Shilin.
