Diyi Hall Introduction
Diyitang, also known as Diyitang, commonly referred to as the Marshal Temple, was established in 1873 by the Lin family of Banqiao following the Xianfeng period's conflict between the Quanzhang factions. The temple was built to honor the martial masters and brave warriors who died in battle. The main deity, Marshal Xu, whose original name is Xu Cai, was a martial arts master hired by the Lin Benyuan family. He perished during the Quanzhang conflict in the ninth year of the Xianfeng era (1859) along with 12 fellow fighters, leading to the establishment of the temple funded by the Banqiao Lin family to honor their spirits. The main structure of the temple features a traditional three-bay layout with two side compartments, and the entrance is adorned with images of door gods holding swords and seals, reflecting typical architectural features of traditional temples. The existing structure showcases the craftsmanship of traditional artisans. Due to its representation of Hakka individuals hired to participate in the Quanzhang conflict, the temple holds significant historical value. In 2013, it was designated as a registered heritage site by New Taipei City, with renovations costing tens of millions of dollars to preserve this precious cultural asset. Starting in 2018, the New Taipei City government initiated restoration and repurposing projects, which took two years to complete. The main hall and temple courtyard were partially opened to the public. In conjunction with the Banqiao Lin Family Garden, periodic tours of the Banqiao ancient city are organized, led by volunteer guides, connecting Diyitang with the nearby Cihui Temple, Jieyun Temple, and Dazhong Temple to form the four ancient temples of Banqiao, enhancing the cultural characteristics of "Fangqiao Ancient City."
