Majia Village

The ancestors of Majia Village and President Ma Ying-jeou's ancestors both originated from Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province. In the 82nd year of the Republic (1993), Mr. Ma Ying-jeou met Professor Ma Chuan-chen from Central Police University. Professor Ma is a 21st-generation descendant of the Ma family's Fufeng branch. During their conversation, they discovered that their ancestors came from the same region, and that Professor Ma belonged to an older generation than Ma Ying-jeou. Further investigation revealed that the ancestors of Majia Village, after several migrations from Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, settled in Taiwan via Guangdong, while President Ma's ancestors moved from Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province, to Hunan before settling in Taiwan. Thus, Majia Village and President Ma share the same roots. After learning about his connection to Majia Village, President Ma has returned to Fufeng Hall in Majia Village, Fengshu Village, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, to pay respects to his ancestors every year on the second day of the Lunar New Year since the 83rd year of the Republic (1994). Initially, the ancestral worship ceremony was not open to the public; only during his tenure as Taipei Mayor did he arrange gatherings with local villagers and clansmen during his ancestral visits. Although there was a five-year hiatus, from the 87th year of the Republic (1998) until now, he has returned to "Fufeng Hall" here every year on the second day of the Lunar New Year to pay respects to his ancestors, and actively distributes red envelopes to the villagers, sharing the festive atmosphere. Especially when seeing the elderly, President Ma would offer congratulations and engage in casual conversation. About Majia Village: Located in Fengshu Village, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, Majia Village is considered President Ma's second hometown. Majia Village is primarily a small village centered around traditional siheyuan (quadrangle courtyards), preserving Xu family's traditional mud-brick houses (tǔjiǎocù) and traditional charcoal kilns, exuding a rich rustic charm. The Ma family ancestral hall is named 'Fufeng Hall'. The hall features an interesting couplet: "Ma's Ancestral Hall reveals / A brilliant leader for the island's children / Nine generations and seven ancestors come to assist him / A good man who acts with loyalty and filial piety / Ultimately, it is heaven's opportune moment / To lead the people to peace." If the first character of each line is combined, it spells '馬英九做總統' (Ma Ying-jeou becomes president), indicating the extent of Ma Ying-jeou's popularity in the village. Rustic Charm of Majia Village: Majia Village, located in Fengshu Village, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, instantly became a very popular tourist attraction in Tongxiao Township, Miaoli, after Mr. Ma was elected the 12th popularly elected president on March 22, 2008. The entire village can be explored in just a few minutes. It connects externally to Miaoli County Roads 121 and 36, leading to various attractions in Miaoli such as the Tongluo Science Park. Tongxiao Cihui Temple: President Ma's first stop when visiting Tongxiao Township, Miaoli, for ancestral worship is always Tongxiao Cihui Temple. Only after praying to Mazu for heavenly blessings and peace for the people does he proceed to Fufeng Hall, the Ma family ancestral hall, for ancestral worship. Cihui Temple is located on Tongxiao Street, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, and serves as the spiritual center for the people of Tongxiao Township. It was founded in the 13th year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1837 AD) by Zheng Ma-guan, the general manager of the thirteen villages of Tongxiao, and primarily worships Mazu (Heavenly Holy Mother). During the reconstruction and restoration period of Tongxiao Cihui Temple, all participants were Hakka people, thus it is also rich in Hakka culture. Majia Village Tourism: Visitors coming to President Ma's hometown, Majia Village, can explore Fufeng Hall, the Majia ancestral shrine, along Yingjiu Boulevard, and enjoy the rustic charm of the countryside. Additionally, surrounding attractions in Miaoli such as Flying Cow Ranch, Tongxiao Ocean Resort, Qiu Mao Garden, Hutou Mountain Park, as well as the renowned Dahu Winery, Sanyi Wood Sculpture Village, Tai'an Hot Springs, Mingde Reservoir, and trails walked by ancestors like the Tiaochai Ancient Trail, Tiaotan Ancient Trail, and Mingfeng Ancient Trail, are all unmissable tourist spots. If the season permits, visitors can attend the Miaoli Tung Blossom Festival. The tung blossoms, known as 'May snow,' have become the most beautiful symbol of Hakka culture. The beauty and romantic legends of tung blossoms also represent romantic aspirations between lovers, allowing visitors to Majia Village, Miaoli, to take in the beauty of the mountain city and experience Miaoli's beautiful mountains, clear waters, and warm hospitality. Authentic Taiwanese Character Everywhere: The residents of Majia Village mostly speak Minnan (Taiwanese Hokkien), and their religious beliefs predominantly involve worshipping Mazu. Therefore, the village exudes an authentic Taiwanese flavor everywhere. After developing tourism and recreational features, the county government plans to continue preserving these original rustic characteristics. Majia Village residents are very enthusiastic. Recently, many outsiders trying to visit encountered difficulty finding their way, so local residents kindly created directional signs for 'Yingjiu Boulevard,' saving tourists a lot of trouble asking for directions. However, the Miaoli County Government has now installed road signs at the Tongxiao Interchange of National Freeway 3 (Central Second Highway), so it is believed that people from other counties will be able to visit Majia Village more easily in the future.