Pingtung Yu Huang Gong

This temple originated from Bishan Hall in 1950 (the 39th year of the Republic of China). It was located within the Minzu Road Night Market, dedicated to the Third Mazu of Meizhou, and focused on helping people through spirit mediumship (fuji). Mr. Li Xing was the hall master. By 1960 (the 49th year of the Republic of China), feeling the night market was too noisy, it relocated to Ren'ai Road in this city, purchasing a shop covering eighteen ping (approximately 60 square meters). It was officially renamed Yu Huang Gong (Jade Emperor Temple) and additionally enshrined Xuantian Shangdi (Emperor Xuan of the North). It continued its primary focus on helping people through spirit mediumship, with Mr. Li Xing serving as the manager at that time. Due to its numerous divine miracles, its prestige spread far and wide, incense offerings flourished, and pilgrims arrived in a continuous stream. Realizing that the original temple site was becoming increasingly cramped and could no longer accommodate the multitude of devotees, a proposal to find land for new construction was initiated in 1966 (the 55th year of the Republic of China). Following a revelation from Xuantian Shangdi, the current site was chosen to establish a temporary temple, primarily worshipping the Jade Emperor. In its nascent stage, with limited financial resources, everything was kept simple and rudimentary. After the temple's foundation was laid, imperial grace was widely bestowed, and all supplicants found their prayers answered. Pilgrims came in droves, creating a bustling crowd. During every festival, the space proved even more insufficient, leading to a proposal for reconstruction on the same site. After the decision was made, fundraising and land acquisition began. Groundbreaking for construction took place in 1971 (the 60th year of the Republic of China). Throughout this period, with the united efforts of devotees from all sides, enduring many hardships and overcoming countless difficulties, the temple was finally completed and inaugurated in 1976 (the 65th year of the Republic of China), opening its doors to public worship.