Visit Jiadong Village in
Changhua City and step into Jiadong Wanggong Temple to discover a nature-based
faith centered on an old bishopwood tree. The temple is also one of the stops
along the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage route, embodying local faith, community bonds,
and memories of the settlement.
Jiadong Wanggong Temple is located at No. 292, Section 2,
Jiadong Road, Jiadong Village, Changhua City. This distinctive temple brings
together nature worship, local history, and folk beliefs. According to the
Ministry of the Interior’s temple records, its principal deity is Jiadong
Wanggong, and its contact number is 04-735-5903. Unlike temples whose principal
deities are historical figures, faith in Jiadong Wanggong grew from residents’
reverence and gratitude toward an old tree, reflecting the belief in early
Taiwanese society that great trees possess a spiritual presence.Ministry of the Interior Temple Records
The old bishopwood tree beside the temple has stood
alongside local residents for generations. It remains remarkably vigorous
despite years of wind and rain and was once listed among Changhua County’s
treasured old trees. Residents respectfully call it “Jiadong Wanggong,”
believing that it watches over the settlement and keeps the community safe.
Over time, it has become an important focus of local religious life.
A local legend connects the tree with the Qing dynasty’s
Jiaqing Emperor. According to the story, while traveling through Taiwan, the
emperor grew weary as he passed through the Jiadong area of Changhua and rested
beneath this leafy old bishopwood tree. Its canopy sheltered him from the
blazing sun, allowing him to recover his strength and continue his journey. In
gratitude for the tree’s protection, the emperor is said to have bestowed upon
it the title “Jiadong Wanggong” and, according to the legend, a princely hat.
From then on, the tree became more than a natural landmark: it was revered as a
divine guardian of the community. This account is a local oral tradition; there
is currently insufficient official Qing-era documentation to verify it.
Nevertheless, it vividly expresses residents’ respect for the old tree and the
collective memories passed down through generations.
Although modest in size, Jiadong Wanggong Temple retains
the distinctive character of a traditional Taiwanese temple. Cut-and-paste
ceramic ornamentation, dragon motifs, and traditional painted decorations adorn
its roof. Stone columns at the entrance, red lanterns, carved shrines, and the
arrangement of the main hall create a worship space that feels both solemn and
welcoming. The statue of Jiadong Wanggong has a dark complexion, a thick beard,
and a princely hat, echoing the local legend of the Jiaqing Emperor’s bestowal
of the title.
The temple is also closely connected with the Dajia Mazu
pilgrimage tradition. As the procession enters Changhua, it passes nearby along
its traditional route, while local residents warmly welcome pilgrims with tea
and refreshments. A visit to Jiadong Wanggong Temple offers not only an
opportunity to pray for blessings, but also a way to understand how Taiwan’s
nature worship and community spirit endure through the old tree, faith in
Jiadong Wanggong, and the Mazu pilgrimage route.
My thanks to Jiadong Wanggong for helping my real estate
transaction go smoothly.
The Diamond
Sutra: “All conditioned phenomena are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, or a
shadow; like dew or a flash of lightning—contemplate them in this way.”
The Diamond
Sutra:
“Subhuti! The past mind cannot be
grasped, the present mind cannot be grasped, and the future mind cannot be
grasped.”
Beyond the photo stop: ready to discover the
art, faith, and culture of Dajia Jenn Lann Temple? Make time for Dajia Jenn
Lann Temple. Think beautiful temple details, treasured cultural collections,
and a chance to slow down and connect with local traditions. Don’t miss the
jade Mazu statue and the cultural museum along the way.
This isn’t just a photo stop. With roots
traditionally traced to the Qing dynasty’s Yongzheng reign nearly 300 years
ago, Jenn Lann Temple is one of Taiwan’s iconic centers of Mazu worship—and its
most thriving Mazu temple. Mazu, the Heavenly Holy Mother, is the main deity,
alongside Thousand-Mile Eyes, Wind-Following Ears, Guanyin, and the Goddess of
Childbirth. For the local community, this is a living heart of faith.
Look closer 👀 Southern Fujian–style architecture, intricate wood and stone
carvings, decorative paintings, and Cochin ceramic art make every corner worth
a second look. Generations of renovations and expansions have shaped the grand
temple you see today, welcoming millions of worshippers and visitors from
Taiwan and beyond each year.
The big tradition to know: the Dajia Mazu
Pilgrimage. Held during the third lunar month, this century-old event travels
through Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, and Chiayi—more than 300 kilometers over
nine days and eight nights. Devotees welcome Mazu’s palanquin along the way,
bringing faith and folk traditions to life on an extraordinary scale. Hailed as
one of the world’s three great religious celebrations, it’s also one of
Taiwan’s most important intangible cultural assets.
There’s a community story here, too 💛 The temple supports emergency
relief, scholarships, social welfare, and cultural exhibitions. Books, talks,
and the preservation of traditional folk performance troupes help keep these
traditions alive for the next generation.
Come to pray for peace, health, or success—or
simply to get to know Taiwan’s religious culture a little better. Beyond the
architecture, it’s the devotion, warmth, and sense of togetherness that make
this place a cultural landmark. 📍 No. 158, Shuntian Road, Dajia District, Taichung City. For
directions, scan the QR code in the video to open Google Maps. What would you
explore first: the temple art or the Mazu cultural collections? Save this post
for your Dajia trip!
Diamond Sutra: “All conditioned phenomena
are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow; like dew and like lightning.
Contemplate them in this way.”
Diamond Sutra: “Subhuti! The past mind
cannot be grasped, the present mind cannot be grasped, and the future mind
cannot be grasped.”
