Chiayi City God Temple

　　 Chiayi City God Temple is situated on Wufeng North Road, Minzu Village, East District, Chiayi City, Chiayi County (formerly Zhuluo County in Taiwan). It was originally constructed in the 54th year of the Kangxi reign (1715) by Zhou Zhong?, the magistrate of Zhuluo County during the Qing Dynasty. The main hall enshrines the Great City God, a local Taiwanese carving with delicate and solemn features, and it has enjoyed continuous and thriving incense offerings throughout the years.

　　 Like other City God Temples across Taiwan, Chiayi City God Temple has undergone multiple renovations and reconstructions throughout history. In May of the 11th year of the Showa era (1936) during the Japanese colonial period, Chiayi Mayor Ito Eizo initiated a fundraising campaign. Local gentry and many benefactors donated over 90,000 Japanese yen to completely rebuild the old temple. Construction began the following year and was completed in October of the 15th year of Showa (1940). The rebuilt Chiayi City God Temple consists of four main sections: the entrance hall (Three-Bay Hall), the worship pavilion, the main hall, and the rear hall. The main structure faces west and is arranged along an east-west axis, with the main and rear halls flanking the worship pavilion in a distinctive “I-shaped” (工-shaped) layout. Its most notable feature is the main hall’s use of elaborately crafted bracket arms (Dougong) that lend an air of grandeur and craftsmanship. The hall also hosts numerous festive activities and draws large crowds of worshippers, making it a highly worthwhile site to visit.

　　 In addition, the stone carvings inside Chiayi City God Temple—including dragon pillars, stone lions, and wall plaques—as well as the paintings on the three-door, six-panel wooden gates are all exquisitely detailed and vividly expressive, offering visitors much to appreciate.

　　 Chiayi City God Temple Must-visit reason: One of Taiwan’s most renowned City God Temples