Xingang Fengtian Temple
Main Deities
About
At Xingang Fengtian Temple in Xingang Township, Chiayi County, the Tiger Lord (Huye) doesn't crouch beneath the altar table — he has been invited up onto it, and that is the most distinctive thing about this Mazu temple. Fengtian Temple is known as the temple of the 'Mazu Who Opened Taiwan' (Kaitai Mazu), and it preserves many historic relics and plaques. Since 1988, the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage has made this temple the turning point of its outbound journey, turning it into a sacred destination for worshippers from all over Taiwan.
History
Fengtian Temple traces its origins to a Tianfei temple in Bengang (around present-day Beigang, Yunlin) in 1700. The turning point came in 1799: the Bengang River (today's Beigang River) flooded, washing away the old temple and the settlements around it, and the faithful carried Mazu's golden statue to Mayuanliao (today's Xingang). The new temple was completed in 1811 and named 'Fengtian Temple.' Because of this shared history, Xingang Fengtian Temple and Beigang Chaotian Temple have long disputed which is the true heir of the 'Mazu Who Opened Taiwan.' Generations of rebuilding have left the temple with exquisite cut-porcelain mosaics and koji pottery. Since 1988, the outbound leg of the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage has ended right here at Fengtian Temple, and today it is also a county-designated historic site.
Xingang Fengtian Temple
Xingang Township, Chiayi County
Visitor Info
Address
No. 53, Xinmin Rd, Xingang Township, Chiayi County
Region
Xingang Township, Chiayi County
Plan Your Visit
- Hours
- Daily 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- When to Go
- This is the outbound destination of the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage in the 3rd lunar month, the liveliest time here; the rites for the Tiger Lord's birthday on lunar 6/6 are also especially grand.
Checked on 2026-10-13 · Sources: Google Maps