Xiayu Tianhou Temple

Xiayu Tianhou Temple

Xiayu Tianhou Temple is a cultural heritage site protected at the county level in Pingtan.

Xiayu Tianhou Temple is located in Xiayu Village, Lanxiang Township, Pingtan. The temple faces south and has a construction area of 270 square meters. Its main structures include the main hall and auxiliary rooms on the right. The main hall is three bays wide and two bays deep, with a flush-gable roof. Four symmetrical round stone pillars are arranged inside the main hall, engraved with couplets in regular script: “Amid drifting clouds and rosy mist lies the abode of immortals; the winding isles embrace the domain of the celestial sovereign,” and “On the sea and sky altars, peace is celebrated; from the Empress above comes abundant blessing.” The first two inner pillars have stone gutters (sky gutters) with a mirror platform above. Stone inscriptions are found on the eastern and western walls.

Xiayu Tianhou Temple was originally built in the 38th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1773 AD), rebuilt in the 2nd year of the Daoguang reign (1822 AD), and renovated again in the 10th year of the Tongzhi reign (1871 AD). During the Qing Dynasty, the drill ground in front of Xiayu Tianhou Temple served as a training and inspection site for officers and soldiers of Haitan Garrison. These troops were required to rotate every three years to garrison and defend the maritime borders of Taiwan and Penghu, and they would be inspected here before departure.

During the Guangxu reign, Xiayu Tianhou Temple underwent maintenance.

In 1962, upon the completion of the Zhuyu Estuary Reclamation Project in Pingtan, Xiayu became connected to the main island of Haitan.

In 1987, Xiayu Tianhou Temple was renovated once more, and the following year it was designated as a cultural heritage site protected at the county level in Pingtan.

Xiayu Village: Located in the central area of Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone, Xiayu Village has a total population of 6,128. It is an administrative village composed of four natural villages, overseeing 32 villager groups, with a labor force of over 3,000 and more than 130 official members of the Communist Party of China.

The total land area of Xiayu Village exceeds 16,500 mu, including over 7,000 mu of arable land, over 5,500 mu of forested land, and over 4,000 mu of tidal flat areas. The main economic activities in Xiayu Village include agriculture, aquaculture (primarily shrimp farming), and tunnel engineering work abroad. … More details about Xiayu Village ++