Qingcheng Temple

Qingcheng Temple, formerly known as Mazu Temple, was built during the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty. Legend has it that when Emperor Jiaqing traveled to Taiwan and arrived in Minxiong, then known as 'Damao,' he was grateful for the divine blessings of 'Heavenly Holy Mother' (Mazu), and bestowed imperial funds and materials for its construction, also sending renowned Chinese master builders to Taiwan to build it. Therefore, it is also the only Mazu temple in Taiwan to be officially consecrated by Emperor Jiaqing of the Qing Dynasty. It primarily enshrines 'Great Mazu' (Da Ma), whose divine status is highly revered. It is not only the center of faith in the Minxiong area but also a sacred temple for Mazu devotees in Yunlin County, Chiayi County, and Chiayi City. On March 17, Meiji 39 (1906), a major earthquake destroyed Qingcheng Temple. The temple land was forcibly requisitioned by the Japanese government for road construction, and Mazu had to be temporarily enshrined in the rear hall of Dashiyie Temple in Minxiong Township. The fact that Mazu did not have her own palace for enshrinement caused much helplessness among devotees. Every year during Mazu's birthday procession, the palanquin would linger and hesitate to leave upon reaching the old temple site. Mazu also, on multiple occasions, conveyed her wish for the temple to be rebuilt within a century, either through spirit mediums' messages or poems revealed through the sedan chair. In Republic of China year 88 (1999), devotees formed a reconstruction committee and actively raised funds for the temple's rebuilding. After a total of five years, the reconstruction was finally completed.