Characteristic small town -- Benxin Nangang

        Duck soup, rat candy, powdered round ice, sister steamed dumplings, smelly sour noodles, Mazu belief... When it comes to these, which Township in Taiwan will you think of? Yes, it's the new port township of Chiayi County introduced to you this time.

        Xingang Township, located at the northwest end of Chiayi County and adjacent to Minxiong Township and Beigang Town, was formerly known as "stupid xinnangang". The specialties here - duck soup and Xingang malt (formerly known as "mouse candy"), must be familiar to everyone. However, for those who have done their homework a little, the smelly sour noodles in front of Zhongshan Road are a delicacy that can't be missed. The pasta with black vinegar may surprise the tourists who try it for the first time when the boss brings it to the table, but believe me, the local people's good taste from snacks to food will surely make you linger and forget to return after tasting it, wondering when to visit again.

                Speaking of Xingang, I have to mention Xingang Fengtian palace, the largest belief center of local people. According to the temple, Mazu of Fengtian temple came to Taiwan with a ship from Meizhou on the mainland in the second year of the Ming Dynasty (1622). It was first sacrificed to the Empress Dowager of Bengang. Later, due to the typhoon hitting Taiwan during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, Bengang river flooded and destroyed the Empress Dowager of Bengang. The residents moved the statues and cultural relics to the Land Temple of Zhaoqing hall for temporary residence and worship. At that time, General Wang Delu donated money to advocate the construction of a new temple. The new temple was completed in the 16th year of Jiaqing (1811) and was named "Fengtian Palace".

        Xingang Fengtian palace has five floors. On the first floor, the main hall is dedicated to Mazu, and the back hall is dedicated to Kuanyin Buddha. It is equipped with Fuzheng God, Zhusheng empress and eighteen Arhats. The left side hall is dedicated to Emperor Wenchang, and the right side hall is dedicated to Emperor Guan Sheng, accompanied by the prince's regiment. The East chamber is dedicated to the city god of Bengang, while the west chamber is dedicated to the general of Jinhu and the position of Changsheng Lu. In recent years, it has also been added to the worship of Bao Mazi Gong and the Yuelao hall in the backyard. The second floor is an exhibition space. Special exhibitions of Fengtian Palace are held from time to time, so that people can cultivate their body and mind while paying homage. The third floor is dedicated to the three treasures Buddha and the king of Tibet Bodhisattva, as well as the king of the Western Qin Dynasty, his holy parents and the 60 year old star king. On the top floor is the Lingxiao temple, which is dedicated to the Jade Emperor and the three official emperors, as well as to the Nandou Xingjun, Beidou Xingjun and marshal Hotan.

        Among them, the golden tiger Lord general enshrined in the tiger Lord hall is a major feature of the Fengtian palace. General Hu Ye is usually enshrined at the bottom of the God table in general temples. Only general Jin Hu ye, who is enshrined in the heavenly palace, is enshrined on the God table. It is said that the reason is that General Hu ye, who was originally in the Land Temple of Zhaoqing hall, was rescued in the dream of emperor Jiaqing. One day, Emperor Jiaqing visited the Land Temple of Zhaoqing hall and found that the General Hu Ye under the God table was the sacred object of rescue at that time. Therefore, General Hu Ye was granted the title of tiger champion and was given a golden flower on his head, More personally invited Lord Hu to the God's table for worship. Later, General Hu and Lord land were moved to the heaven worship palace for worship.

        For many local people, it has become a part of their daily life to pay homage to the Fengtian palace in their spare time or after work and thank the gods for their protection. Overlooking the street of Zhongshan Road in front of the temple from the Lingxiao temple, the lanterns on both sides sway with the wind, and the air is filled with bursts of sandalwood thread incense... The magnetic field here can always make people calm, and the fatigue of work or the boredom of mood disappear immediately.

        As for the annual event of Fengtian palace in Xingang, except for Shangyuan, it is the territory of Dajia Mazu. On the birthday of mother Mazu in March of the lunar calendar every year, Dajia mother of LAN palace in Dajia Town, Taichung city will go south with believers from all over Taiwan to hold a nine day and eight night tour. General Jin Huye of Fengtian Palace also goes out together. In particular, the scene of "tiger eating cannon" (Note 1) is quite shocking. Xingang Fengtian palace is the last stop after the border team passes through NANYAO palace in Changhua, Fuxing palace in Xiluo, etc. During the two days and one night when Dajia's mother stayed in the palace, the local people of Xingang will provide shelter, tables and drinks free of charge to comfort the believers who followed from Taichung City; The school authorities will also cooperate with the suspension of classes and the laying of straw mats to facilitate the believers to rest at night. Moreover, in the evening, vendors from all over the country will come to set up stalls. People participating in the festival can stop by to visit the night market and taste all kinds of delicious food.

                Perhaps "Xingang" is not as famous as "Beigang", but it has its unique charm, just as every Jiayi person has his favorite chicken rice in his heart. In response to the epidemic in the past two years, many activities have been reduced from large to small and from complexity to simplicity. I hope that after the epidemic slows down in the future, you will have the opportunity to visit Xingang and visit this small town with strong Mazu cultural and historical background and characteristic snacks.

        ※ note 1: "God tiger eats cannon" is a common sedan chair bombing ceremony in Taiwan temple fairs. Believers set off a large number of firecrackers under the God sedan chair. The more firecrackers they set off, the more luck they will have in the coming year.

        ※ note 1: Xingang sightseeing map https://extws.cyhg.gov.tw/001/Upload/1440/relpic/13835/787/c2a70fe9-7736-4102-b2fb-04c3dd81d17c.png