20241026(Sun)-Dalongdong Baoan Temple Overview,Established in 1802

Previously, I introduced Longshan Temple,which was built in 1738. Today, I'll introduce Dalongdong Baoan Temple, constructed in 1802. 

Dalongdong Baoan Temple is a Chinese folk religion temple located in the Datong District of Taipei. 'Baoan' means 'to protect the safety of the people'. The temple was constructed in 1802 to replace the original wooden constructure. During the Japanese period , from 1895 to 1945 the temple underwent multiple repairs.

In 1742 (the 7th year of the Qianlong era), the temple was initially established in Dalangpump(大浪泵), with incense brought from the Baijiao Ciji(白礁慈濟宮) Temple in Tong’an(同安), Quanzhou(泉州), to enshrine the deity Baosheng Dadi（保生大帝）in Taiwan. 

During the Qianlong period, the Tong’an（同安） people from Xinzhuang（新莊） and Monga（艋舺） were pushed out by people from the three other counties, prompting them to migrate north to this area. 

In 1802 (the 7th year of the Jiaqing era), wealthy merchant Wang Zhiji(王智記), along with the Zheng(鄭), Gao(郭), and Chen(陳） families and 21 households, jointly invested in building a commercial street. 

This street had 22 shops on each side, totaling 44 shops, thus earning the name “Forty-Four K’an.” (四十四坎)By 1805 (the 10th year of the Jiaqing era), the merchants and residents of Forty-Four K’an initiated a fundraising campaign to build a temple outside the eastern end of the street. 

The temple was constructed from stone, an extensive project at the time, resulting in the current “hui” (回) shape with a three-hall layout.

The temple’s current structure was built in 1917, when local residents Shen Zhu（沈豬） and Zheng Wanyi (鄭萬鎰) launched a fundraising campaign, raising 32,000 Japanese dollars to support the reconstruction. Renowned sculptors Guo Ta （郭塔）and Chen Yingbin(陳應彬), both employed by the temple, contributed their craftsmanship to the project, which was completed in 1919.