Located on Zhongshan Road of Beigang Town in Yunlin County, Taiwan, Beigang Chao-Tian Temple is the most famous temple in Taiwan dedicated to Mazu. Built in 1694, the temple originally known as Tianfei Temple or Tianhou Temple, and later renamed to Beigang Chao-Tian Temple to commemorate Mazu Temple (Chao-Tian Building) in Meizhou, China, and to indicate its location in Beigang Town.

Beigang Chao-Tian Temple was considered the temple with the highest number of attendees during Qing Dynasty, which attracted people from northern and southern parts of Taiwan, as well as the indigenous to Beigang to offer incense. Mazu, the Taoist Goddess of the Sea who protects fishermen and sailors is revered as the patron saint that protects seafarers in East Asia. The Statue of Goddess Mazu was first introduced in Taiwan during Qing Dynasty in 1964 by monk Shu-Pi. Today, the statue can still be found worshipped in Chao-Tien Temple.

Beigang Chao-Tian Temple has been expanded several times in year 1730, 1773, and 1837 on the five porticos in front of the main hall, and five sets of halls and shrines of all the gods and goddesses. The extravagant temple architecture of Beigang Chao-Tian Temple fully reflects Chinese culture and religion. The temple was designed with exquisite craftsmanship, with materials brought from China. With a history more than 290 years, Beigang Chao-Tian Temple is not only the center of religion but also an important cultural and historical site, where fine stone carvings, woodworks, statues of deities, inscribed horizontal tablets, colorful painted porcelain, weapons and many other cultural relics of high quality that can be traced back to Meizhou in China during the Song Dynasty are preserved. It has been designated as a class two historical monument.

Every year during the third month of the Chinese lunar month, countless pilgrims gather in Beigang to celebrate the birthday of Mazu, which falls on the 19th day of the third Chinese lunar month. Celebrations include a large-scale grand public parade, in which Mazu ‘s statue and her avatars are carried to affiliated temples in Taiwan, China and other areas. Also, many worshippers would follow Mazu’s statue throughout the event as they believe it will bring good luck and fortune.

Other than Beigang Chao-Tian Temple, Yunlin County is also the home to Taiwan’s traditional puppet arts and Gukeng coffee, where a number of puppet schools are still relatively active today and Gukeng coffee can be savored for one’s Taiwan travel.