Wan Chuen Gung

About Wan Chuen Gung

Wan Chuen Gung is in central Taichung. It is a Mazu temple with about 300 years of history and one of the city's main centers of worship. Its founding is linked to the Qing general Lan Tingzhen, who in the late Kangxi era brought a statue of Mazu by ship from Meizhou in Fujian to Taiwan and paid to build a temple for her himself. For this reason the Mazu here is also called Lanxing Mazu. The temple was rebuilt and renamed Wan Chuen Gung in 1824, and was rebuilt at its current site in 1947.

The temple is built in the southern Fujian style. Besides Mazu, the main deity, it enshrines Guanyin and Zhusheng Niangniang (the goddess of childbirth), as well as Wenchang Dijun, guest deities and guardian deities, more than 100 statues in all. The caisson ceiling has a fine spider-web pattern, and there are koji pottery and cut porcelain decorations. Valuable relics include mid-Qing dragon columns carved from Quanzhou white stone, a stele recording an official edict on temple property, a stone incense burner, a "Calm Seas, Clear Rivers" plaque presented by officials in 1891, an 1859 bell, and a pair of mid-Qing bluestone lions in the temple courtyard.

Worshippers consider this Mazu very responsive to prayers. On Mazu's birthday each year, the temple gives out free blessing rice balls (tangyuan) that worshippers can eat on site or take home for their families. The temple also holds a Mazu procession through Taichung's districts, and regular ceremonies such as blessing rites and ceremonies for success in exams and careers. Offerings can be made with several payment methods, including LINE Pay and Taiwan Pay.

Wan Chuen Gung is a Taichung landmark rich in history, culture and faith. Visitors can admire the temple's architecture and experience local Mazu worship. Travelers and worshippers are welcome.

Wan Chuen Gung is within walking distance of Mr.Mantter. Come in the morning to pay your respects, then stop at the Second Market for breakfast on the way back. Book a room at Mr.Mantter