Xinyuan Jiaying Temple Introduction
The Jiaying Temple, located in the Xinwen area, is also a spiritual center for fishermen praying for safety. The main deity of the temple is King Wanggong of the Nine Dragons, representing Wei Tianzhong, a loyal minister from the late Southern Song Dynasty, as well as his father Wei Guozuo and grandfather Wei Liaoweng. Established over 280 years ago, the temple is situated along the busy Provincial Highway 17. It started as a simple grass hut by the sea, and as the number of devotees increased, it was relocated to its current site to accommodate the growing congregation, gradually developing into its present scale. The "Chongshuilu and Welcoming King" event at the Budai Xinwen Jiaying Temple is a rare temple fair activity in Taiwan. Devotees believe that on March 27 of the lunar calendar each year, seven mountain patrol Kings and thirteen sea patrol Kings, totaling twenty "guest kings," gather aboard an invisible royal boat off the coast of Xinwen. The royal boat is brought into the Xinwen area by the rising tide. To honor their guests, the Yinxwang and the Nine Dragons' Kings worshiped at Jiaying Temple invite local deities, such as the old three kings of Nankunshan, the Sugar Matsu of Beigang Chaotian Temple, and the Three Ma of Puzihuitian Temple, to descend into the sea to welcome them, with dozens of divine palanquins rushing into the water. This is the origin of the "Chongshuilu and Welcoming King" folk celebration. Today, the century-old "Chongshuilu and Welcoming King" has become an annual major festival in Xinwen, attracting devotees from all over Taiwan to participate, making it one of the most iconic events combining religion and culture in the coastal area of Chiayi.
