Quanzhou Tianhou Palace, the Largest Overseas Mazu Temple, Now Free of Admission
When mentioning Quanzhou, what will people think of? No doubt many friends will think of the hotel collapse incident in Quanzhou two days ago, which has also made Quanzhou famous overnight and become a hot topic. In fact, whether it is economic strength or cultural heritage, Quanzzhou is among the few counties in Fujian Province, with the city's GDP ranking first for 21 consecutive years, and it is also a historical and cultural famous city, with many ( believers) inside, so here is Quanzhou Tianhou Palace, the largest temple for worshipping () overseas, and now it doesn't require a ticket!
When mentioning Tianhou Palace, many friends will be completely baffled, but for the people of Quanzhou, it is a palace that is known to everyone, and it is also a spiritual pillar for many citizens. As everyone knows, () is called “the Goddess of the Sea,” and has many believers. You can see about () in many buildings, especially in Taiwan and Fujian, where () temples are common. Quanzhou Tianhou Palace is considered the largest temple for worshipping () overseas in terms of building specifications and scale, and it is also one of the few mainland Chinese () temples that has been approved and published by the State Council as a key national cultural relic protection unit.
Quanzhou Tianhou Palace was built in the second year of the Southern Song Dynasty, located on Tianhou Road, South Gate of Quanzhou, Fujian Province. It was said to be quite large at the time, with a main hall, gate, two corridors, and two pavilions. Now, after years of wind and rain, some have become scarred, showcasing a sense of vicissitude, but from the carving and structure, you can still see a sense of sophistication. The current (Xi Ma Tai - Opera Stage) was rebuilt in 1990, with a (pa Lou Shi - - Pavilion) shape, carved and painted wooden (dou gong -), showing magnificence and beauty. The (Xi Tai - Opera Stage) is connected to the gate and the eaves, facing south and north, with carved ridges and (fang - -), which reflects Quanzhou's artistic style.
The Tianhou main hall is the largest palace, although it has weathered the wind and rain, it still stands intact, with complete wooden structures. The interior is exquisite, from pillars to windows, all vividly carved. Every year on the 23rd of March, various activities are held here to commemorate (), and on the Lantern Festival, the temple is crowded with people. They hold a grand ‘beg for turtles’ ( - qǐ gui) activity, which is lively and exciting. For visitors from afar, it's a good experience.
Do you have any opinions on Quanzhou Tianhou Palace after reading this? Welcome to leave a comment.
