Introduction to the Ancestral Temple

The Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple stands in Gongxia Village in the northern part of Meizhou Island and is dedicated to the Heavenly Empress Mazu. As the first Mazu temple in the world, it marks the birthplace of a culture that has spread from this small island to the entire globe.

The architectural complex on the West Axis consists of the Grand Archway, the Mountain Gate, and other structures, serving as the primary site for Mazu pilgrimage and attracting millions of devotees annually. The South Axis complex features a five-courtyard Song-style architectural ensemble centered on Tianhou Hall.

The contemporary complex was reconstructed from the 1980s onward through the collective efforts of devotees from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. In 2006, the Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple and the Mazu Sacrificial Rite were respectively designated as national cultural heritage and national intangible cultural heritage.