Taitung Tianhou Temple

The history of Taitung Tianhou Temple's founding dates back to the 15th year of Guangxu (1889). Zhang Zhaolian, then an admiral of the Qing Dynasty, donated his monthly salary and proposed building a temple as a token of gratitude to the Heavenly Holy Mother (Mazu) for providing a spring that relieved the government troops during the Dazhuang Incident. He also received a plaque inscribed with 'You Cheng Zhao Ling' (meaning 'Protecting Sincerity, Manifesting Divinity') bestowed by Emperor Guangxu, which still hangs in Tianhou Temple today. It was the only official Mazu temple in Eastern Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty.