Beigang, formerly Bengang, was an important river port in Qing Taiwan, and Chaotian Temple, founded in 1700, is one of the island's great Mazu shrines, drawing huge crowds of pilgrims for the goddess's festival in the third lunar month. Zhongshan Road in front of the temple is lined with Japanese-era facades housing sesame-oil mills, peanut-candy makers, bakeries and duck-rice stalls, a shopping street for pilgrims for centuries.
Architecture
Baroque facadesJapanese-eraMinnan red brick
Themes
TemplesRiver portQing era
Getting there
Where
Zhongshan Road (in front of Chaotian Temple), Beigang Township, Yunlin
Getting there
TRA Chiayi Station or HSR Chiayi Station, then coach to Beigang (~40 min)
Time needed
Half a day
Best time
Busiest (and most crowded) during the Mazu procession in the 3rd lunar month
