Mazu Temple

Mazu Temple, also known as "Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple", is located on Meizhou Island in Putian City, Fujian Province. It was founded in the fourth year of Yongxi during the Northern Song Dynasty (987 AD) and is the birthplace of Mazu culture. The Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple is the first Mazu temple in the world. The existing buildings are mostly of Qing Dynasty structure. The temple complex is arranged along the central axis of the front hall, built according to the mountain terrain, forming a main temple path with a depth of 300 meters and a height difference of more than 40 meters, connected by 323 steps from the mountain gate, the ceremonial gate to the main hall, linking various buildings on both sides. At the top of the ancestral temple mountain, there is also a 14-meter-tall giant Mazu stone statue. The Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple complex mainly consists of the main hall, the sleeping hall, and the Holy Parents' Shrine, which have undergone several renovations and expansions to achieve the current layout. Mazu's original name was Lin Mo, born on March 23, 960 AD, in Putian, Fujian. Mazu is also known as Silent Lady and Mother, who was intelligent and perceptive from a young age. As an adult, she understood astronomy, knew medical theories, was eager to do good and help others, and did many good deeds, earning the love and reverence of the people. Itinerary: The Mazu Temple is not large, and it is recommended that visitors enter from the large archway at the intersection of Meizhou Avenue and Pilgrimage Road. Proceed upwards, passing through the mountain gate, the Imperial Edict Gate, the main hall, the Heavenly Queen Hall, the Ascension Tower, and reaching the Mazu stone statue. Along this route, most of the buildings seen are small and ancient. Afterwards, head towards the Heavenly Queen Hall, Mazu Culture Exhibition Hall, Shunji Hall, and the gates of the Heavenly Consort Palace, where the buildings are newly built large palaces. Then return along the same path, passing by the Guanyin Hall and the Wudi Temple.