Tianfei Palace of Cansha Kou

Tianfei Palace of Cansha Kou

Location: Cansha Kou Village, Liuzan Town

Ticket: Free (currently)

Introduction:

The original Tianfei Palace was situated to the west of Cansha Kou Village, facing south with its back to the north, directly opposite the ancient Cansha Opera Tower across the way, forming a rare ancient architectural complex along the coast. Cansha Kou was once an essential river-sea transfer dock and natural shelter harbor for ancient maritime transport routes entering eastern Beijing and western Liaoning. Merchant ships from the south and grain barges “often took shelter from the wind here.” Both the Tianfei Palace of Cansha Kou and the ancient opera tower opposite were built through funds and materials raised collectively by migrants from the south and local fishermen. Initially, the Mazu temple had fishbone beams, hence it was also called the “Fishbone Temple,” and some fishbones are preserved to this day. Since its establishment, it has undergone three expansions and renovations during the Ming Yongle era, the Qing Qianlong era, and the 10th year of the Republic of China. The halls are majestic, the statues solemn, presenting a spectacular sight.

The Tianfei Palace consists of a main hall and a rear hall. In the main hall of the Tianfei Palace, three goddess statues are enshrined in the central position. The primary deity is Tianfei (Mazu), flanked by the Goddess of Childbirth and the Goddess of Descendants. On both sides of the main hall stand the Dragon God and White Tiger God generals. Additionally, in the east and west wings of the main hall, statues of Guan Yu, the Dragon King of the Sea, the Fire God, the Medicine God, the Thousand-Mile Eye, the Wind-Following Ear, the Wave-Calming General, and the Fish-Herding Lad are worshipped. The rear hall is the Guanyin Bodhisattva Hall. Unlike the “reversed-seat Guanyin” found elsewhere, this Guanyin faces south with her back to the north, directly overlooking the sea.

The Cansha Kou Tianfei Palace Temple Fair is held annually on the 23rd day of the third lunar month (Mazu’s birthday). On ordinary days, local fishermen, travelers from the south, nearby residents, and worshippers ensure a continuous stream of incense. During the temple fair, the place becomes unprecedentedly bustling. Every year during the Tianfei Temple Fair, coastal fishermen haul in their boats and dry their nets, while people from surrounding counties, even other provinces—scholars, merchants, artists—all flock here. The fair’s “welcoming ceremony” evolves into theatrical “offerings to the gods,” with famous troupes performing on the ancient opera stage in rotation. A vibrant market forms during this time, with crowds as dense as clouds and carts packed tightly together, creating an extraordinary scene.

In the mid-1950s, the Tianfei Palace was converted into a school. To “eliminate superstition,” the statues were removed. During the Cultural Revolution’s campaign to “smash the Four Olds,” both the ancient opera tower and the Tianfei Palace were destroyed.

With the reform and opening up, to restore cultural relics and develop tourism, local villagers spontaneously pooled funds in 1992 to rebuild the Tianfei Palace. The rebuilt Tianfei Palace is still located at the original site. The main hall retains the style of the original structure, and many parts incorporate bricks, stones, tiles, and arches from the original palace. Statues were first erected for the Three Immortal Maidens of Tianfei, giving the site an initial form. After several renovations and expansions, it now covers an area of 3,500 square meters, divided into a main hall, side halls to the east and west, a bell tower, and a drum tower. The main hall houses the Mazu statue (one deity, three images) in the center, the Dragon King on the west side, the Medicine God on the east side, and the Fish-Herding Lad along with the Azure Dragon and White Tiger to the far east. The west side hall is the Guanyin Hall, enshrining the Goddess of Mercy and the Child-Giving Guanyin. The east side hall is the God of Wealth Temple, housing the Civil and Martial God of Wealth. There are four incense burners of varying sizes and a five-tiered cauldron tower in front of the temple, with a bell tower to the east and a drum tower to the west. Nowadays, the temple fair activities have also been restored and have become an important factor in boosting the local economy and culture.

Legends and Stories:

The Origin of Mazu Belief

Tianfei refers to Mazu, whose surname was Lin and given name Mo. She was originally from Meizhou Isle, Putian County, Fujian Province. Born on the 23rd day of the third lunar month in the first year of the Jianlong era of the Northern Song Dynasty (960 AD), she passed away on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month in the fourth year of the Yongxi era (987 AD). Mazu was intelligent and diligent from a young age, with remarkable swimming skills. Throughout her life, she healed the sick, provided disaster relief, supported those in need, protected the sea, and assisted navigation. People revered her as a deity and built temples to worship her. Later, it was said that she repeatedly appeared miraculously, rescuing ships at sea and safeguarding maritime transport. Across the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, she received multiple imperial titles: initially “Lady,” then “Tianfei,” and later “Tianhou,” with her titles continually elevated. Consequently, Mazu temples spread from Putian in Fujian to Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Shandong, and other coastal regions.

The Yuan Dynasty vigorously promoted maritime transport and revered the sea god. With the widespread folk tales of Tianfei and these imperial titles, Tianfei temples were successively built across the country. Tianfei temples could be found not only along coasts in both northern and southern China but also influenced many other countries. Over the centuries, as maritime and long-distance shipping developed, Chinese people safely reached all corners of the world. Seafarers believed they were protected by Mazu’s divine power and expressed gratitude by building temples. Thus, Mazu belief spread to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries, as well as to Paris, Brazil, Norway, Denmark, Canada, Mexico, and the United States in Europe and America. Almost every port with a Chinese community has a Mazu temple, totaling over 1,560 Mazu temples worldwide.

The Origin of Cansha Kou Tianfei Palace

Legend has it that long ago, there was a large trading ship owned by a man named Huang Baiwan from Putian County, Fujian. While traveling through Cansha Kou—which was then surrounded by seawater and appeared as an isolated island—ships encountering storms often sought refuge here. Not long after setting off, a fierce storm suddenly arose at sea, the waters roared terrifyingly, capsizing the ship and throwing everyone into the sea. Just as they were about to be swallowed by the waves, a woman in red emerged from Cansha Kou, carrying a red lantern and walking on the waves as if on flat ground. She quickly rescued the drowning people. The survivors, overwhelmed with gratitude, were about to ask her name when she suddenly disappeared. Everyone realized they had encountered a deity and were stunned. Upon returning, they reported the incident to Huang Baiwan, who was deeply moved. Following the sailors’ descriptions, he built a Fishing Girl Temple in his hometown and also sent people to build a similar temple in Cansha Kou (the predecessor of the Tianfei Palace). This is likely the origin of why the Tianfei Palace was built in Cansha Kou.

Qing Poet’s Praise for Tianfei Palace

Shi? (a local Qing scholar) wrote the poem “Poem on Tianfei Palace of Cansha Kou”:

Every year in March we celebrate Tianfei, Just back from the sea, our nets are newly dried.

The maiden offers incense, the lad pours wine, No storm in sight, the fields rich and wide.

Zhang Can (another Qing local poet) wrote the poem “Poem on Cansha Kou”:

A remote village overseas, from afar like an isle. Named Cansha, its oddity invites our toil. Wild marshes stretch before us, sights vast and grand, Half the sky to the west, with few souls in the land. The tide comes thundering, the southern hills shine bright, Dark clouds churn beyond, dragons dance in flight. Sea cranes descend from azure, wild geese soar on high, When was the ancient temple built? Its walls still stand nigh. Sacred statues solemn, gold and colors glow, Corals and green tiles, beams that storms did know. A hundred feet high, touching the heavens near, A towering tower seems crafted by deity here. Like Vulture Peak it stands, east o’er the sea it soars, A thousand boats cross, prayers from shores implore. On the 23rd of March, a grand fair is held, Incense burns bright, a holy flame is spelled. Buddha’s head shines with scripts, clouds curl o’er the shrine, Drums mix with war songs, actors dressed fine. Graceful dances unfold, lions show no roar, Displaying might, their fangs and claws explore. Climbing two hundred steps, peaks are scaled with might, Waves rage wildly, startling sea kings in fright. Plays and skills compete, artistry takes flight, Crowds gather like clouds, watchers line the sight. Chariots park close, rows like geese take flight, All for joyous times, to leave cares out of sight. …Feasts spread on the ground, seafood feasts abound, Prawns as big as fists, crabs like gold are found. Drinking joyfully, windswept, one swoons with cheer, …A song ends, its echo vanishes near. Such wonders I’ve seen, I envy Su Dongpo’s lore. …

Transportation: This attraction enjoys convenient transportation, being 12 km from the Coastal Expressway, 20 km from the Tangcao Expressway, 35 km from the Tanggang Expressway, 1 km from the Binhai Highway, and 5 km from the Binhai Avenue. From the waterway perspective, the river leads directly to the village entrance, and boats can reach University Town, Long Island, and various locations in the Bohai Bay.

Surrounding Environment: This attraction is located within Cansha Kou Village, Liuzan Town. Nearby are attractions such as the Mazu Culture Square and the ancient opera tower, as well as residential areas. Dining and shopping facilities can meet the basic needs of Mazu pilgrims, and there is also a free parking lot covering 35 acres nearby.