Southern Fujian Yujiding San Guan Da Di Temple

　　Southern Fujian Yujiding San Guan Da Di Temple, also known as Sanguan Gong Temple, is situated on the slope of Yujiding in Shanping Village, Chiling She Ethnic Township, Zhangpu County. It was first built during the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty (1430) and renovated in the mid-Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. To this day, eight stone steles from the Ming and Qing dynasties are preserved. The temple complex covers a total area of nearly 60 mu, with a total construction area of about 500 square meters. However, the main hall features an unusually unique structure, rare both domestically and internationally — it is a domed pavilion, covering an area of less than 40 square meters, with the deities' altar occupying less than 2 square meters. It is said that the site of the Sanguan Da Di deities at Yujiding lies on a “FuDing JinXue” (Golden Cauldron Earth Vein), making the temple location spiritually potent. No wooden or earthen structures can be built here; every attempt to do so has resulted in destruction by fire, without exception. Divine divination only permits a stone-built altar with an open-air roof and hollow walls. This practice has become a tradition and continues to this day.

　　 The uniquely designed temple and the miraculous divination by casting lots have drawn widespread reverence, resulting in flourishing incense offerings. A particularly legendary story is that of “The Tiger General of His Generation, Pioneer of Taiwan Campaigns” Lan Li (a She ethnic from Shiyi, Chiling). During his military service, Lan Li visited the Sanguan Gong Temple to cast lots, make vows, and took some incense ash back in a pouch, which he wore close to his chest. During the Battle of Penghu, he suffered a serious abdominal injury with his intestines protruding. In haste, he took out the incense ash pouch along with powdered “Agarwood” (a sacred wood) and applied them to the wound, then pushed his intestines back inside. He wrapped himself tightly with a torn flag and immediately felt the pain ease drastically, as if aided by the divine power of Sanguan Da Di. Bolstered by newfound courage, he continued to fight and ultimately defeated the army of Zheng Chenggong, marking the Qing army’s first victory. For his bravery and leading role, Lan Li was promoted to Left Commander-in-Chief and eventually rose to the rank of Fujian Governor-General. After achieving fame and returning home in glory, Lan Li restored and renovated the Sanguan Da Di Temple. Emperor Kangxi personally inscribed eight characters in his honor: “勇壮简易，所向无前” (“Brave and Resolute, Unmatched in Every Direction”). The stone stele stands at the heart of Yuekou Street in Zhangzhou City, serving as a testament to this recognition and remains preserved to this day. Lan Li is also known as the “Gut-Ripped General.”

　　Zhangpu County is a primary ancestral home for many Taiwanese people. During the development and migration to Taiwan, these settlers brought the spiritual beliefs from their homeland to Taiwan, where they took root and flourished, making Sanguan Da Di a shared deity between Southern Fujian and Taiwan. Most Taoist beliefs in Taiwan originated from Fujian. Yujiding Sanguan Gong Temple is a revered site among the She ethnic group, especially the Lan surname. In the early Qing Dynasty, when Taiwan was under the jurisdiction of Fujian, the advocacy by governing officials helped the temple’s spiritual influence take root in Taiwan, making it the progenitor of Sanguan Da Di temples there. Visitors from Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other regions often come to worship and donate.