Taiwan Religious Culture Map

The Zhushan area was once called ""Shalianbao"" or ""Shuishalian"", so when Lianxing Temple—located in the bustling center of Zhushan Township—was rebuilt during Xianfeng Emperor's reign in the Qing era, it was given the name ""lianxing"", meaning ""prosperous Shuishalian"". Accounts differ regarding when the temple was first built, but we can be certain that it had already been established by Emperor Qianlong's reign. Lianxing Temple is the oldest Matzu temple in Nantou County and the center of faith for people of Zhushan and Lugu. The temple houses many ancient artifacts, such as a plaque reading ""blessings across the mountains and seas"" that was erected during the 41st year of Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing era (1776 CE); the ""Zheng Tang Ma Shi"" stone tablet (announcement by Ma Ming-piao—then Changhua Sub-Prefect—at the main hall) from the 43rd year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1778 CE); and the Li Cheng-ching Proclamation Slab from the 4th year of Daoguang Emperor's reign (1824 CE). The front hall of the temple also enshrines statues of Matzu accompanied by Qianliyan and Shunfeng'er (guardians of Matzu temples) carved by Fuzhou artisans, as well as an over-300-year-old black-faced Matzu with movable limbs from the Sheliao area (settlement on the south banks of Zhuoshui River, northeast of Zhushan's downtown). Lianxing Temple's close ties to the history of Zhushan's development and culture also make it well worth preserving.