Cishan Tianhou Temple

In the 1700s, early settlers, seeking peace and spiritual solace, respectfully invited the holy statue of Mazu from Meizhou, mainland China, to Fanshuliao (the old name for Cishan). Local people worshipped and found her miracles efficacious, which was widely spread, and many local residents jointly funded the construction of the temple, which was completed in 1824, making it nearly 200 years old today. Inside the temple, there is an inscribed stele titled "Fengxian" (By Imperial Edict), its inscription details the eradication of vagrants in the settlement at that time. There are also two steles on the temple walls commemorating fundraising for renovations, which are valuable historical materials for studying the development history of Cishan. Cishan Tianhou Temple, where incense smoke billows year-round, is the only surviving Qing Dynasty temple in the Cishan area, and it is the most important spiritual center for the people of Cishan. Due to the flourishing incense offerings, Mazu's statue's face has long been smoked dark and glossy by the incense. The stone carvings inside the temple are simple and elegant, while the wood carvings and bronze sculptures are lavishly and colorfully adorned, making it one of the must-visit attractions for tourists coming to Cishan.