Gongfan Temple, Chinese temple in Mailiao, Taiwan
Gongfan is a Chinese temple in Mailiao featuring traditional architecture with detailed wood carvings and colorful decorations arranged across multiple halls. The buildings open onto courtyards where visitors can move through the various worship spaces.
The temple was founded in 1685 and experienced several relocations and rebuildings over time. A major renovation took place in the early 1900s, coordinated with the Japanese administration of the region.
The temple honors Mazu, the goddess of the sea and protector of fishermen, who holds deep meaning for many in this region. Visitors can see altars dedicated to different deities that connect to the daily concerns of local worshippers.
The temple is accessible on foot and connected to Mailiao town center by local buses. Visitors should allow time to walk through the different areas and take in the layout of the complex.
Craftspeople from different regions worked together after major flooding in 1898 to rebuild the temple and strengthen its structure using local building methods. This collaboration brought together architectural styles from several areas into one building.
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