Qingcheng Temple Introduction
Ching Cheng Temple, formerly known as Mazu Temple, was built during the Qing Dynasty's Jiaqing period, giving it a history of 200 to 300 years. It is said that when Emperor Jiaqing traveled to Taiwan, he arrived in Minxiong, formerly known as "Dachao." Grateful for the blessings of the "Heavenly Holy Mother," he graciously provided materials for the construction of a temple and sent renowned temple builders from China to Taiwan. Thus, it is the only Mazu temple in Taiwan officially sanctioned by Emperor Jiaqing. The main deity worshiped is "Dama," whose divine status is exalted, making it not only the spiritual center for the Minxiong area but also a sacred temple for Mazu believers in Yunlin and Chiayi counties. On March 17, 1906, during the 39th year of the Meiji era, a major earthquake caused the Ching Cheng Temple to collapse, and the site was requisitioned by the Japanese government for road use. Mazu was temporarily enshrined in the back hall of the Dashi Ye Temple in Minxiong. Mazu did not have a temple to reside in, which made the followers feel helpless. Every year during Mazu's birthday procession, when the deity's palanquin reached the old temple site, it would linger, reluctant to leave. Mazu also conveyed the desire for reconstruction within a hundred years through mediums or poetic messages during the procession. In 1999, the 88th year of the Republic of China, believers formed a reconstruction committee and actively raised funds for the temple, completing the construction after five years.
