Magang Tianhou Temple
馬祖境天后宮
Legend holds that the body of Mazu, Lin Moniang, drifted ashore here and was buried. The temple contains a “spirit cave,” and the name Matsu is said to derive from it.
Magang Tianhou Temple (also called the Matsu Jing Tianhou Temple) is located in Matsu Village on Nangan Island and is the faith center of the archipelago. Local legend says that Mazu, Lin Moniang, drowned herself at sea to save her father. Her body drifted here, and villagers buried her. The temple still preserves the “spirit cave” stone coffin, and the place name “Matsu” is said to derive from it. The temple is built in the Eastern Fujian style, with red walls and painted decoration. Every year on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, the anniversary of Mazu’s ascension to heaven, a grand festival is held. Admission is free, and the temple is open roughly 06:00–20:00. Up the hillside above is a giant statue of Mazu, which you can reach on foot.
Opening hours
About 06:00–20:00
Nearby sights
- Mazu Statue
- Yuntai Mountain
- Jinsha Village
- Iron Fort
- Matsu Folklore Culture Museum
- Beihai Tunnel (Nangan)
- Dahan Stronghold
- Zhenge Daidan Memorial Park