Dianji Temple

Dianji Temple

Constructed in 1873, Dianji Temple has a history of more than 100 years and is indeed a historic temple with over a century of legacy.

The temple enshrines Kai Zhang Sheng Wang, namely General Chen Yuanguang of the Tang Dynasty. A native of Henan, the general was tasked in 686 AD with subduing the Min and Yue regions, and due to his meritorious service, he was posthumously deified as Kai Zhang Sheng Wang.

At the time, Keelung local gentry such as Bai Fan, You Ji Tang’s Lian Xinyong, and Zi Yangchuan purchased over ten hectares of land at Waimushan as temple property, and built the temple with timber on the site. Later, land in present-day Wangtianli, Ren’ai District, donated by the prominent Lin Benyuan family of Banqiao, along with contributions from local gentry such as Zhang Jinfa and Lai Wu, gained strong support from the community.

Upon entering the temple, you can see rows of neatly arranged red stone pillars engraved with couplets dedicated to the gods. The floral and bird-patterned stone pillars in front of the main deity’s shrine were built during the Japanese colonial period, reflecting the Japanese aesthetic preference for floral and avian designs, while the dragon pillars were constructed during World War II, showcasing the distinctive characteristics of traditional Chinese temple architecture.