North Polar Temple Introduction
Located in the Wukeng settlement of Kinmen, the Beijidian is an important center of faith for the local residents. The temple was built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty and has a long history, primarily worshiping Xuantian Shangdi, the guardian deity of the village. On the right side, the main altar is dedicated to Guanyin, while the left side is devoted to Enzhu Gong and Enzhu Niang, with numerous deities providing blessings for the villagers' health and safety. The Beijidian is not only a place of religious worship but also the core of community emotions. While the temple is not magnificent, it is solemn and simple, with continuous incense offerings, maintaining a fellowship with the neighboring Longfeng Temple in Guanao, showcasing the deep religious network among Kinmen settlements. In the past, Wukeng was a coastal salt village, but due to sedimentation over the past century, the coastline has gradually receded, and since the completion of the Tiantun seawall in 1976, the settlement is now separated from the coastline by a kilometer. Even with the changes in topography, the Beijidian stands steadfast in the village, symbolizing the connection between the past and present, tradition and daily life. When visiting Wukeng, it is worthwhile to enter the Beijidian and feel the local faith and historical memories carried by this old temple.
