Diyi Hall Introduction
Diyi Hall, also known as Diyi Temple and commonly referred to as the Marshal Temple, was established in 1873 by the Lin family of Banqiao after the Quanzhang clash during the Xianfeng period. It was built to honor the martial artists and brave souls who died in battle. The main deity worshipped is Marshal Xu, whose real name is Xu Cai; he was a martial arts master hired by the Lin Benyuan family. During the Quanzhang clash in the ninth year of the Xianfeng era (1859), Xu Cai and twelve other brave fighters perished, and the Lin family of Banqiao funded the construction of the temple to honor their spirits. The main structure features a three-bay façade with two guardian dragons, and the ban door is decorated with paintings of door gods holding swords and seals, resembling traditional temples. The existing structure still showcases the craftsmanship of traditional artisans. Due to its representation of Hakka participation in the Quanzhang clash, it holds significant historical value and was designated as a designated historical site by New Taipei City in 2013. Over NT$10 million was invested in restoration efforts to preserve this precious cultural heritage. Since 2018, the New Taipei City Government has carried out restoration and reutilization projects, completing them after two years. The main hall and temple courtyard have been partially opened, and future events will be organized in conjunction with the Lin family's garden in Banqiao, including periodic guided tours led by volunteer teachers, connecting with Cihui Temple, Jieyun Temple, and Dazhong Temple to form the four ancient temples of Banqiao and build the cultural characteristics of "Fangqiao Ancient City."
