Yancheng Tianhou Temple

The Tianhou Temple, located in Yancheng, South District, was built in 1758. It primarily worships Mazu (Tian Shang Sheng Mu) and is also accompanied by the worship of Wu Hui Zun Wang. In the past, many nearby residents transported salt produced from the salt fields to Anping via the "Fan Port" (Sail Harbor) behind the temple. For this reason, the temple is also known locally as the "Fan Port Tianhou Temple." Wu Hui Zun Wang, worshipped within the temple, is a deity from Quanzhou with the surname Huang, yet he is referred to as "Hong Zu Gong." This is because the statue of Wu Hui Zun Wang has a red face. In earlier times, people commonly referred to him in Taiwanese as "Red Zu Gong." Over time, this was mistakenly transmitted as "Hong Zu Gong," leading to the misunderstanding that Wu Hui Zun Wang's surname is Hong. This is a small, interesting anecdote. Outside the temple, a stele is also enshrined. Mazu instructed that the stele has achieved spiritual enlightenment and should receive incense offerings and worship, thus adding a special "Stone Deity" to Yancheng Tianhou Temple.