Cihu Temple Introduction
Commonly known as "Jinbaoli Mazu Temple," it is the largest temple in Jinshan, mainly dedicated to the Golden-Faced Mazu, serving as a religious center for the local community, who affectionately refer to it as "the Grand Temple." Locals believe that touching the dragon column will bring prosperity, which is why the tongue and the orb of the dragon column have become shiny from being touched. Mazu's companions, the Thousand-Mile Eye and the Wind-Listening Ear, hold gold ingots, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. The Jinshan Cihuguang Temple, with a history of 200 years, is not only the most significant Mazu temple on the northern coast but also has a fascinating legend about the Golden-Faced Mazu's miraculous relationship with Yehliu. According to local folklore, during the Qing Jiaqing period (1796-1820), the statue of the "Golden-Faced Mazu" drifted at sea and later washed ashore in the rock cave at Yehliu (now referred to as Mazu Cave), where local villagers began to worship it. Due to the frequent manifestations of Mazu's divine presence and miraculous responses to prayers, more and more devotees came to seek blessings. Villagers in Yehliu decided to build a grand temple to honor the deity, and in the 14th year of Jiaqing (1809), the temple was completed in Jinshan and named "Tianhou Temple," where Mazu was ceremonially invited to reside. Having lost their Mazu, the people of Yehliu have always cherished her but felt powerless to worship her. After several discussions, the people of Jinshan agreed to invite Mazu back to the sea erosion cave where she was discovered to visit for one day each year, making it convenient for the Yehliu locals to pay their respects. This is the main reason for the Golden-Faced Mazu's visits to Yehliu.
