Magong Tianhou Temple

澎湖天后宮

The oldest Mazu temple in Taiwan, designated a national historic site, which houses the 'Shen Yourong Persuades the Red-Haired Barbarians Led by Wei Malang' stele.

Magong Tianhou Temple sits in the centre of Magong City in Penghu and is the oldest Mazu temple in Taiwan with a documented history. It is generally believed to have been founded during the Wanli era of the Ming dynasty or earlier. The temple houses the stele 'Shen Yourong Persuades the Red-Haired Barbarians Led by Wei Malang,' which records how the Ming general Shen Yourong persuaded the Dutch to withdraw in 1604. It is one of the oldest surviving stone steles in Taiwan. The current building was rebuilt in 1922–1923 under the direction of Chaozhou master craftsman Lan Mu. Its roof ridges feature exquisite cut-and-paste porcelain decoration, woodcarvings and painting, and its swallowtail ridgeline is elegant. The temple has been designated a national historic site. Next to it, Central Old Street is Magong's oldest street and preserves historic landmarks such as the Four-Eye Well (a single well with four openings), the Shi Gong Ancestral Hall and the Wanjun Well. The street is lined with long-established snack shops and souvenir stores selling brown sugar cake, salty biscuits and peanut brittle. Admission is free, and the temple is open from about 07:00 to 19:00. It is best to visit in the morning, then explore Central Old Street, Shuncheng Gate and the nearby First Bird-Watching Area. In the evening, go to the Guanyin Pavilion park to watch the sunset and see the Xiying Rainbow Bridge. Getting there: the temple is within walking distance of central Magong, and it is about a 15-minute drive from Magong Airport. Please observe silence while worshipping, and do not sit on the threshold.

Magong Tianhou Temple

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