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picturepictureIndex>Historic Sites & Ancient Monuments
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picture pictureTaoyuan Jin-fu Temple
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picturepictureINFORMATION
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picture Location and area:No. 208, Chung-chen Rd., Chung-ho Li, Taoyuan Hsien
picture Year of construction:16th year of Emperor Jia-ching's reign, Ching Dynasty (1811)
picture Information for visitors:The temple is open to public from 06:00 AM until 09:00 PM.


picturepictureHISTORICAL BACKGROUND
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pictureChi-lung Shieh, a prominent figure in the Hakka community in the early years of Emperor Chien-lung's reign, developed Taoyuan City. The city was originally¡@known as Fu-mou Village. Later on, immigrants planted peach trees here, and changed the name to Tao-tzu-yuan (literally translated as Peach Tree Garden). Commerce prospered over time, and more and more shops were established here; by the 30th year of Emperor Chien-lung's reign (1765), Taoyuan was a thriving commercial region. But the area and its people suffered considerably from the plague which spread during the Emperor Jia-ching's reign.. So Chi-lung Shieh suggested erecting a temple. Shieh donated land amounting to 20 jia (1 jia is equivalent to 0.97 hectares) for this purpose. Citizens donated cash to aid the construction effort. Shieh and his people selected the current location for the temple in the 16th year of Emperor Jia-ching's reign (1811). The temple houses King Kai-jian and Marshall Shien-tan , and was named Jin-fu Temple. It soon became the focus of religious life in Taoyuan City.

There was a severe drought in Taoyuan in the 7th year of Emperor Sieh-feng's reign (1857). Tamsui Magistrate Huang Shih went to Jin-fu temple to implore the gods to send rain, which immediately started falling! Jin-fu Temple's power thereby became known to people in all walks of life. The temple was rebuilt in the 12th year of Daisho (1923) as part of a general reconstruction of the city area. It underwent partial reconstruction in 1961, and again in1985, before assuming its current form.

pictureThe temple consists of 2 main buildings with 9 rooms in the front. King Dai-jian and Marshall Shieh-tan are worshipped in the main hall. The Goddess of Mercy and the Heavenly Mother are worshiped on either side. The Goddess of Golden Mother and Goddess of Birth are worshipped in the halls to the east and west of the central dais. The decorations are beautiful. Tablets crafted during the reign of Emperor Jia-ching are well preserved here. In front of the temple is an open space. You can see trees and flowers on both sides of the courtyard. The temple faces the railway station in the distance, and is an important landmark in Taoyuan City.

Ever since its foundation, the temple has sponsored rituals for pilgrims during the second year of every 12-year cycle, which is designated the Year of the Ox according to Chinese astrology. The rituals last for 5 days; pilgrims thank the gods and pray for happiness in a celebration of historical import. On January 17th of the Chinese lunar year, pilgrims proceed to the Jen-ho Temple of Da-shi or Wu-fu Temple of Nan-kang to worship gods and pray for a good harvest and happiness.

pictureJen-ho Temple is the earliest Kai-jian Temple in Taoyuan. Wu-fu Temple was the first temple in history to bless Taoyuan. Pilgrimages signify remembrance of the gods' blessings. After offerings of incense, the gods' statues are paraded through the streets on their way home. Flags and drums join the parade together with lion dancing and dragon dancing troupes in a fabulous celebration. King Kai-jian's birthday falls on February 15th. The clans and associations in Taoyuan, Lu-ju, and Ba-de present an opera performance to celebrate this occasion. Tens of thousands of pilgrims gather here to pay their respect to the gods. The celebration lasts until early March.. "Grand Worship in Taoyuan" is a great celebration for Jin-fu Temple.



picturepictureHOW TO GET HERE?
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This temple is located in the urban area of Taoyuan. Parking is not easy. Visitors may board Taoyuan Express Bus No. 1 or City Bus No. 9, and alight at Jin-fu Temple.

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---Taoyuan Culture Center(English Version)---
pic ????Address:No.21 Sianfu Rd.,Taoyuan city, Taoyuan County 330 Taiwan
???? Tel:(03)3322592 Fax:(03)3318634
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