From Scratch to Sweet Success ~ My First Time Making Mooncakes!

This year, I bought a mooncake mold and tried my best to make some by myself. I can say it's a labor-intensive task. It also requires a bit of skill because I ended up with some broken dough, which made the filling visible. Although they're not perfect, I'm happy with the result since it was my first time making mooncakes. While searching through many recipes, I noticed that all of them used golden syrup, which I couldn't find anywhere.

I tried two combinations. First, I replaced the golden syrup with honey, and I think the result was really good, although the flavor wasn't the same as the original. The second time, I used sugar and water. Although it's possible to do, I would recommend using honey. The dough was a bit drier and less flexible, which led to some broken spots when I tried to put the filling in. Flavor-wise, the mooncakes were still really good though.

I'm a big fan of Hong Kong-style mooncakes, so that's the version I made. I filled one with cheesecake (a very unusual filling) and another with red bean. I also attempted one with taro and mochi inside, but I think I bought the wrong taro paste (probably just blended taro, not paste), as it was impossible to maintain the shape, resulting in a lot of filling leakage.

You can find the recipes at the bottom of my post!

What are a Mooncakes?

A mooncake (月餅) is a bakery product traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節) in parts of Asian countries. The festival is about lunar appreciation and moon watching, and mooncakes are regarded as a delicacy. Mooncakes are offered between friends or family while celebrating the festival.

Typical mooncakes are round pastries with a rich and thick filling, usually made from red bean paste or lotus seed paste, surrounded by a thin 2–3 mm crust. They may also contain yolks from salted duck eggs, symbolizing the full moon. Traditional mooncakes have imprints on top consisting of the Chinese characters for "longevity" or "harmony," as well as the name of the bakery and the filling inside. Additional decorations may include imprints of the Moon, Lady Chang'e on the Moon, flowers, vines, or a rabbit (symbol of the Moon).

Traditional fillings include:

Lotus seed paste (蓮蓉) - Considered by some to be the original and most luxurious mooncake filling. White lotus paste is even more premium. Sometimes, white kidney bean paste is used as a filler due to the high price of lotus paste.

Sweet bean paste (豆沙) - There are various pastes commonly used as fillings in Chinese desserts. While red bean paste made from azuki beans is the most common worldwide, regional preferences exist for bean paste made from mung beans or black beans.

Jujube paste (棗泥) - This sweet paste is made from ripe jujube (date) fruits. It has a dark red color, a slightly fruity/smoky flavor, and a slightly sour taste.

Five kernels (五仁) or mixed nuts - A filling made of coarsely chopped nuts and seeds, held together with maltose syrup. Different regions use various nuts and seeds such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds, peanuts, sesame seeds, or almonds. Candied winter melon or rock sugar pieces are often added for additional flavoring.

Traditional mooncake crust include:

Chewy - This crust, commonly used in Cantonese-style (Hong Kong style) mooncakes, has a reddish-brown tone and glossy sheen. It's made using a combination of thick sugar syrup, lye water, flour, and oil, resulting in a rich taste and a chewy yet tender texture. Maltose syrup can be added to increase chewiness.

Flaky - Flaky crusts are indicative of Suzhou- and Taiwan-style mooncakes. The dough is made by rolling alternating layers of oily dough and flour that has been stir-fried in oil, resulting in a texture similar to puff pastry.

Tender - Mooncakes from certain provinces of China, such as Shanghai-style mooncakes, have a tender crust instead of a flaky or chewy one. The texture of this crust is similar to the shortcrust pastry used in Western pie crusts or tart shells. It's made with a mixture of sugar, oil, flour, and water. This type of crust is also commonly used in other types of Chinese pastries, such as egg tarts.

Crumbly - Yunnan-style mooncakes have a dense, crumbly crust made using a hot water crust pastry that combines different kinds of flour with oil, salt, and hot water. This type of crust is uncommon in other regions.

Less traditional types of mooncake crusts can be made with:

Glutinous rice - This crust has a texture similar to mochi and is known colloquially as "snowskin mooncakes". Snow skin mooncakes are non-baked mooncakes originating from Hong Kong. snow skin mooncakes can be filled with a variety of fillings such as mung bean paste, fruit, green tea, jam, strawberry, chocolate, coffee, and cheese. Other flavored fillings include durian, sesame, mango pomelo sago, and purple yam.

Jelly - A crust made from gelling mixtures such as agar, gelatin, or konjac, flavored with a wide variety of fruit flavors.

How to make Mooncakes?

Making mooncakes takes plenty of time (or maybe I lack experience). The first time I made cheesecake filling, so yes, it took longer as I had to bake the cheesecake first. But the second time, when I made 40 mooncakes with strawberry filling, it took a total of 3.5 hours. I think that's quite a long time, and I was really tired at the end, lol.

All the recipes call for golden syrup, which I searched for in several shops, but unfortunately, it was nowhere to be found. In my first attempt, I used honey. I think the texture of the dough is quite nice, although it lacks flavor and color, but it's not a big deal. Using sugar melted with water isn't a very good idea. I found the dough much more difficult to work with than the one with honey, and it was a lot less flexible. I will still share both variations I used.

Recipe 1 - Cheesecake Filled Mooncakes (12 mooncakes, 50g mold)

Ingredients

-> Dough:

150g flour

80g golden syrup or honey 

30g oil

1/3 teaspoon Kansui / lye water

-> Cheesecake filling:

250g cream cheese 

2 eggs 

30g sugar 

-> Egg wash:

1 egg yolk

1 tbsp water

Preparation

-> Preparing cheesecake:

Mix cream cheese (at room temperature) with sugar. Add eggs one at a time and mix until smooth. I used a 6-inch square pan to bake it. Bake for about 15-20 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. It's also possible to steam it instead, but I prefer the flavor of baked cheesecake. Allow it to cool down and then divide it into 12 pieces, rolling them into balls. Each piece should be 30g in size.

-> Preparing mooncake crust:

Mix all the dough ingredients together until a smooth dough forms. Divide the dough into 12 pieces, with each piece weighing 20g.

-> Assembling:

Roll or flatten a ball of dough in your hand. Place the filling in the middle and then cover it with the dough. Roll it into a ball. Repeat this process with every piece. Dust the mooncake mold with some flour or cornstarch. Place each ball in the mold and press down gently to shape it.

-> Baking:

Once all the mooncakes are shaped, place them in a preheated oven at 190 degrees Celsius. Bake for 5 minutes. After this time, remove the mooncakes from the oven and gently brush them with egg wash. Place them back in the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes at 170 degrees Celsius or until they turn golden brown.

-> Storing:

Mooncakes can be stored for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.

You can also check out my video:

Recipe 2 - Read beans Filled Mooncakes (20 mooncakes, 50g mold)

Ingredients

-> Dough:

110 g sugar

40 g water

50g oil

220g flour

-> Filling:

600g store-bough red bean filling

-> Egg wash:

1 egg yolk

1 tbsp water

Preparation

-> Preparing mooncake crust:

Mix sugar with warm water until all is melted, and syrup forms. Add oil and flour, mix until a smooth dough forms. Divide the dough into 20 pieces, with each piece weighing 20g.

-> Preparing filling:

Divide the bean paste into 20 balls, each weighing 30g.

-> Assembling:

Roll or flatten a ball of dough in your hand. Place the filling in the middle and then cover it with the dough. Roll it into a ball. Repeat this process with every piece. Dust the mooncake mold with some flour or cornstarch. Place each ball in the mold and press down gently to shape it.

-> Baking:

Once all the mooncakes are shaped, place them in a preheated oven at 190 degrees Celsius. Bake for 5 minutes. After this time, remove the mooncakes from the oven and gently brush them with egg wash. Place them back in the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes at 170 degrees Celsius or until they turn golden brown.

-> Storing:

Mooncakes can be stored for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.

You can also check out my video:

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Discovering Penghu: 10+ Must-Visit Spots for an Unforgettable Experience

There are many places to visit in Penghu. Here are some of places that we visited our last time travel. Usually people travel in the summer, so if you go in the winter there will be less crowd, but some places could be closed. 

Agriculture and Fisheries (澎湖縣政府農漁局水產種苗繁殖場)

It's a nice place to visit. There are some starfish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins you can touch. There are several aquariums with corals and sea animals. Another part of this place has big breeding tanks, to bred fishes, sea urchins, as well as seaweed.

Jinguitou Fort (金龜頭砲臺)

Jinguitou Fort is one of 12 forts that guarded the Penghu Hall City of the Qing Dynasty. The specific time of the creation of the old fort is unknown. The first construction was around 1718, but the current Fort was built in 1887. It was announced as a national monument on 2001.

Zhongyang Old Street (中央老街 )

Zhongyang Street is the earliest developed street in Penghu, also known as the "first street". In 1973, the street was officially listed as a "special area for preservation of historical sites". In 1983, the residents of Penghu Old Street formed the "Penghu First Street Revitalization Association". The government subsidized the restoration and reconstruction of the old street. The old street was reorganized into the current Fujian-style architectural style. 

Wenjun Well (萬軍井)

There is a well outside of Shi Gong Ancestral Hall, formerly known as Ma Gong Dajing. During Qing Dynasty, Shi Lang led a fleet expedition to Penghu to fight the Ming and Zheng navy. When passing through Penghu, the soldiers would be exhausted. Shi Lang therefore prayed to the gods that he could use the emperor's sword to dig a well and have abundant well. It's for everyone to use, to solve Wanjun’s drinking water urgency, hence the name "Wanjunjing". It's currently listed as a national third-class monument along with Shi Gong Temple.

Four-eye Well (四眼井)

The Four-eye Well is the oldest ancient well in Penghu County. It was established in the early Ming Dynasty (1592). The four-hole well is actually just a large well with a large amount of water. The well is 5.6 meters deep and 2 meters wide. In the past, it used to be a source of living and drinking water for residents in Zhongyang Old Street.

Mazu Temple / Tianhou Palace (澎湖天后宮)

The establishment of Tianhou Palace was during Ming Dynasty. The earliest documented date is 1604, when the Dutch East India Company came to Penghu. On December 28, 1983, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the first batch of 15 first-class monuments. Penghu Tianhou Temple was listed among them. In May 1997, after the "Law on the Preservation of Cultural Assets" was amended, the classification was no longer classified into the first to third levels of historical sites, and the three levels of national, municipal and county-cities were adopted. Tianhou Temple was changed to a national monument. 

Magong Dutch Castle (馬公風櫃尾荷蘭城堡) 

The Fort was built by Dutch East India Company on December 1622. It was built with soil, grass, wood, lime and rocks. Castle was destroyed in September 1624. Shetou Mountain, where the Dutch East India Company was founded, is commonly known as the "Dead Fanzi City". Except for the Dutch foreign soldiers who died in battle with the Ming army in 1624, the French navy launched Penghu in 1885. During the occupation of Penghu by service ships, about 200 to 300 soldiers who died of cholera were buried here. On April 30, 1908, the Japanese Navy’s Matsushima ship accidentally exploded in the sea area, with 222 on board. People died or disappeared. The local residents feared the ghost harassment of foreign troops and horses.

North and South Pagodas (鎖港北塔)

The exact time and reason for those Pagodas to be built is unknown.

Zhuwan Dayi Temple (竹灣大義宮)

It's the only temple in Taiwan where sea turtles were legally raised until end of 2022 when they was released. The history of Dayi Palace was originally traced back 400 years ago (Ming Dynasty). 

Erkan Chen Family Historical Houses (二崁陳家古厝)

Chen's House in Erkan was built by Kunzhong of Chen Ling (1872-1948) and Chen Bang (1875-1959). The building is in the form of three houses with three entrances, belonging to the Fujian and Yangtze eclectic style buildings. It was announced as a county monument in 1988.

Xiyu Western Fort (西嶼西臺)

Because it's one of the few well-preserved ancient forts in Taiwan and has historical value, it was designated as a first-class monument in 1983. Xiyu West Fort, built by General Wu Hongluo in 1887 had four British Armstrong cannons. The entire fort area covers more than 8 hectares.

Five Hole Bunker (五孔碉堡)

Located in the east of Chima Village, Xiyu Township. You need to follow the trail up the mountain to get to the bunker. Because there are five hole-shaped openings on the stone wall of the fortress for a bird’s eye view of the harbor and monitoring the enemy’s situation, it's called the five-hole bunker.

The fort was built in 1888, by Wu Hongluo, navy commander in Penghu.

Xiyu Eastern Fort (西嶼東臺)

After visiting Western Fort, we also drove to Eastern Fort, although Monday and Tuesday is closed... We still had time to came back here on Wednesday anyway.  The entrance here is free.

Xiyu East Fort, also known as Dongtai Ancient Fort, is a military facility located in Nei'an Village. It was built in the late Qing Dynasty and is a national monument.

Niusin Mountain (牛心山)

Niuxin Mountain is located in Nei'an Village, Xiyu Township. It stands alone by the bay. Its unique shape attracts many tourists.

The top of the mountain is bare basalt, and the bottom of the basalt to the foot of the mountain is covered with blanket flowers and weeds.

Daguoye Columnar Basalt (池東大菓葉玄武岩)

During the Japanese Occupation, in order to connect Magong and Xiyu by sea, a wharf was built at Daguoye Beach. When excavating rocks and soil, this magnificent columnar basalt buried in the soil and sleeping for thousands of years was accidentally excavated. It's the only columnar basalt that is easy to get close to.

Yuwengdao Lighthouse (漁翁島燈塔)

Yuwengdao Lighthouse is located at the southwest end of Yuweng Island in Penghu County. It was originally built in 1778 as seven-level stone tower. It's the icon of Taiwan's coastal navigation mark, and the only original lighthouse established in country with records. One stone stele of "Xiyu Tower Lamp Stele" is still preserved. 

The current Yuweng Island lighthouse was built in 1875. The tower was made of round iron and equipped with 3 cast iron cannons. In 1915 all building were painted white. The Yuweng Island Lighthouse is a national monument, and the surrounding area is listed as a monument park. It was opened to the public in 1992. 

Sanxian Pagodas (三仙塔)

According to residents of Wai'an Village, those pagodas was built to make man and woman life expectancy similar. Because Wai'an village lives on fisheries, men often died by accidents, so boys have shorter life spans than girls. Villagers believe that this is because the mountains on the east side of the village extend shorter to the south, so boys have a shorter life expectancy. 

They were instructed to: "Build the Sanxian Pagoda on the hill on the west side of the village about the same distance as the end of the hill on the east side. The three towers run north-south. The purpose is to slightly shorten the life span of girls to be same as boys. The Sanxian Pagodas have the central tower as the main tower, and the left and right towers as the man and woman. 

Nanliao Village (南寮社區魚灶)

Nanliao Village is not close to the sea and its development is not easy. As a result, a large number of people in the village moved out in the early days. Because of this, many old tribal buildings have been left unused, which makes Nanliao more maintain the traditional rural atmosphere of Penghu. So far, there are many traditional houses with red tiles and stone walls in Nanliao Village. There are single-family houses, triple courtyard houses, and large family-style buildings, ox carts and luxury houses are very common here. 

Baikeng Ash Kiln (白坑灰窯遺跡)

The Baikeng ash kiln was built in 1960, the ash it produced was an important construction material in Penghu at that time. Its existence witnessed the production process and method of Penghu oyster shell ash and stone ash. The current condition is still intact. At present, one of the few remaining industrial buildings in Penghu has important historical and cultural value, so it's recommended to register as a "historical building."

Guoye Ash Kiln (菓葉灰窯)

The Guoye Ash Kiln is located on the seashore southeast of Guoye Village, Huxi Township. It's a lime burning kiln built by villager Chen Fuxi in 1960. Its shape is quite spectacular, and it looks like a "castle" from a distance, so it has always attracted the attention of tourists. From the point of view of building materials, this ash kiln may have undergone many additions and renovations to form the present style. When it was built in 1960, because cement was not popular, the walls were built with basalt and mortar. Later on, the walls were built with hollow cement bricks and reinforced concrete floors or roofs. 

Moses divided the sea (奎壁山摩西分海)

First time we went in a low tide timing, the road to an island was pretty wide. It wasn't that beautiful as I saw on pictures. Luckily we went another day, just in time to see the sea getting low and the trail appearing. It's really nice view.

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Joining Short Video Competition in Taiwan

November Update:

On November 15th, we attended the winner's ceremony in Taipei. Out of the 25 people, only 20 groups received rewards (the rewards are listed below). I was among the 12 individuals who received an excellent work reward—super happy.

October Update:

On October 27th, the shortlisted list was released, confirming our inclusion. Subsequently, on November 3rd, we received the official email confirmation and an invitation for the award ceremony scheduled for November 15th. It falls on a Wednesday afternoon, not the most convenient timing, but we'll make time to travel to Taipei for the event. At this point, we're unaware of the specific place we've been awarded, as it will only be announced during the ceremony. I'll provide an update on the outcome later.

The Mainland Affairs Council and the Immigration Bureau are jointly organizing the "eye臺灣win兩岸'' (Eye Taiwan Win Cross-Strait) short film competition. This year marks its 6th edition, but for the first time, it's open to all immigrants in Taiwan. In previous years, the competition primarily focused on humanistic stories that revolved around life experiences, cultural exchanges, and emotional connections of individuals from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, including Hong Kong and Macao.

The application period runs from July 26, 2023, to September 27, 2023, so there isn't much time left to participate. The winners will be announced on November 16th, which is quite some time afterward (I might forget about it). As it's a short video competition, entries must be less than 3 minutes in length. Every participant must upload their video to their personal YouTube channel, making it a good opportunity for people to discover my channel (I've been struggling to gain subscribers).

There are 20 awards in total: 

First Prize: 1 winner (bonus of NT$200,000 and 1 certificate)

Second Prize: 2 (bonus of NT$120,000 and 1 certificate)

Participation: 2 people (a bonus of NT$80,000 and 1 certificate)

Excellent works: 12 (prize: NT$20,000 and 1 certificate)

Internet Popularity Award: 3 (department store gift certificate worth NT$3,000 and 1 certificate)

The link to website: HERE

Welcome to also check out the video I made for the competition:

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Tongxing Old Street & Guogang Tunnel

Travel Date: 2023/09/09

Finally, the weather improved after nearly two months of almost constant rain (with a few typhoons in between), clouds, and wind. Even though we only had half a day to go out, we still didn't want to waste the time, because who knows how long the good weather will last. It's funny, but usually, weekends are rainy, while weekdays have nice weather. Then, when the weekend comes again, the weather gets bad. It's super annoying, but it has happened 90% of the time this year.

I feel like there aren't really that many places to see in Miaoli. It's mostly mountains, and there aren't many historical sites. I found an old street nearby called Tongxing Old Street, but unlike many other old streets we've visited, this one looks very empty. So, apart from a few old houses, there's nothing else to see. The old street is actually in Houlong Township, so we also went to see a popular tunnel in the area and dined in Houlong Town. I found a Japanese shrine, but it's further south, and we didn't have more time that day. Such a pity, but maybe next time.

Tongxing Old Street (同興老街)

Tongxing Old Street stands as an important historical landmark, not only within Houlong but in all of Taiwan. It holds the distinction of being the earliest street in Houlong, serving as a gathering point where both Han and Pingpu people converged to exchange local products. Over time, as the Houlong River gradually silted up, Han settlers began reclaiming land beside the stream. This led to the gradual expansion of the population and the formation of what is now known as Houlong Street, which serves as the current city center.

A small ditch to the east of Tongguang Elementary School, known as "Fanpozaigou," was once crystal clear and used by Pingpu women for washing clothes. Today, it serves as a reminder of the area's rich cultural heritage. The old street, once bustling with commerce, has retained its ancient charm and remains the most lively street in the area. It offers a glimpse into Houlong's history as a trading hub, with early business buildings along the street testifying to its role in facilitating trade.

There are still several families residing in Tongxing Old Street.

Tongxing Old Street is distinguished as the shortest old street in Taiwan, spanning only about 100 meters. The street showcases well-preserved century-old commercial buildings, representing the quintessential architectural style of the Qing Dynasty. This attests to Tongxing Old Street's historical importance as a trading center in the Miaoli area. While the passage of time has seen its decline, remnants of its past prosperity still echo in the old buildings that stand today.

At the end of the street, a right turn (around the elementary school) will lead you to a bookstore. In a commendable effort to promote reading, the Maoli Organic Bookstore operates on an exchange-only basis and does not sell books. The bookstore is housed within an old structure, providing visitors with a sense of traveling through time while enjoying their reading. Occasionally, friendly feline companions make appearances, adding to the cozy atmosphere and enhancing the overall reading experience.

Guogang Tunnel (過港隧道)

While there is a parking lot available, there are very limited parking spaces in the area. If you find the parking lot full, there are alternative options for parking. You can park your car on the other side of the tunnel on the side of the road or at Houlong Qinghai Palace.

The tunnel was officially opened in 1922 during the Japanese colonial era. There are three tunnels in total, and their construction was a testament to the increasing prosperity of Taiwan's economy at that time and the growing need for improved north-south transportation. The older mountain railway line faced transportation bottlenecks, prompting the Governor-General to initiate the construction of a coastal railway connecting Zhunan and Changhua. During the excavation for the railway construction, an intriguing discovery was made—a layer of fossilized shellfish dating back a million years. An inscription was erected to commemorate this find.

Inside the train tunnel, the entire inner wall is constructed using red bricks. These bricks are meticulously stacked layer by layer to create a beautiful horseshoe arch shape. Interestingly, it's said that no beams or columns were used for support during the excavation, and the entire structure was engineered using the principles of round arch mechanics. The black marks on the red bricks along the curved tunnel ceiling are remnants of coal burning in the trains, forming a historical trace and a testament to the countless travelers who passed through over the years.

There are three tunnels in close proximity. Tunnel No. 1 stretches 279 meters, Tunnel No. 2 measures 162 meters, and Tunnel No. 3 is 56 meters long. While walking through Tunnel No. 1, there is a sightseeing section. The view does not extend all the way to the exit due to the curvature of the tunnel itself.

Within the tunnel, you'll find a train image and a rest platform. You can directly view the interiors of Tunnels No. 2 and No. 3, and the entire route is designed as a barrier-free trail, making it suitable for visitors of all ages.

From the other end of the parking lot, you can take a stroll to the Cape of Good Hope Cultural Park, which stands at the highest point and offers breathtaking scenery.

Additionally, nearby attractions include the Mazu Palace on the mountainside and Gongtian Temple in Baishatun. It's worth noting that when Mazu in Baishatun participates in incense ceremonies, both Mazu temples go together, creating a unique cultural experience.

Guogang Shell Fossils (過港貝化石層)

Geologically, this layer is part of the larger Toukeshan Formation (頭嵙山層), which dates back to the Pleistocene era. The fossils within this layer are estimated to be between 1,030,000 to 460,000 years old and are preserved within shale rock. It's believed that these shells were originally situated approximately 20 meters (66 feet) to 50 meters (160 feet) beneath the water's surface before becoming buried. A total of 135 different species of fossils have been identified, with the majority belonging to the Pecten genus. However, shells from various other genera, including Chlamys, Anadara, Arca, Eucrassatella, Nassarius, Niotha, Bursa, Turritella, and Murex, have also been discovered. Some researchers speculate that the high density of fossils in this area is a result of repeated storms that pushed shellfish into this location.

The discovery of this fossil bed dates back to 1921 when Japanese railway construction workers, engaged in building the Coastal line, stumbled upon it. In 1935, during the Japanese colonial period, the Government-General of Taiwan designated the area as a natural monument. The Miaoli County Government placed a plaque in 1955 to protect the fossils, forbidding any disturbance. Subsequently, between 1995 and 1999, the Forestry Bureau conducted a survey of the site and designated it as a provincial-level protected area.

Regrettably, due to its proximity to a road, many of the fossils have been removed or vandalized by tourists. A report by the Liberty Times revealed that a significant number of fossils within easy reach have been taken or damaged.

Address:

Tongxing Old Street: 356台灣苗栗縣後龍鎮舊後汶公路121號

Guogang Tunnel: 苗栗縣後龍鎮南港里過港隧道

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Zhunan Houcuo Dragon and Phoenix Palace

Zhunan Houcuo Dragon and Phoenix Palace (竹南后厝龍鳳宮)

Nestled in the heart of Zhunan, the Houcuo Mazu Temple, officially known as the Zhunan Houcuo Dragon and Phoenix Palace, is a revered sanctuary dedicated to the veneration of the renowned maritime deity, the Holy Mother of Heaven, commonly referred to as Mazu. Its history is rich and deeply ingrained in the cultural tapestry of the region.

In the early Qing Dynasty, fishermen hailing from the Toubei area in Hui'an County, Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province, erected a modest seaside temple in Zhunan to honor the divine presence of Mazu from Meizhou. The temple soon became renowned for its remarkable miracles, drawing a burgeoning congregation of devout followers.

As time passed, the temple succumbed to the relentless accumulation of seafloor sands, necessitating its relocation to Lunziding in Tianwen Village. During the Jiaqing period, a generous villager named Lin Zhenshun offered the current site, Daqiu Garden, as the new temple grounds. Local residents, including the dedicated Tan Yue, rallied to raise funds for its construction. In 1836, a faithful believer named Weng Fang expressed gratitude by gifting a magnificent panlong stone incense burner to the temple. Over the centuries, the temple faithfully safeguarded the spiritual well-being of fifty-three surrounding villages, cementing its position as a cornerstone of Mazu worship culture in Taiwan.

The temple's history is etched in the architectural progression that spans centuries. Initially constructed in 1836, it underwent significant expansions in 1933 and 1970. 

The grand mountain gate at the temple's entrance was erected in 1989, while the back hall, Five-Road God of Wealth Hall, and Liushi Jiazi Taisui Hall were added in 1994.

Ascending to the third floor of the temple's apse, one encounters a towering 41 meters (136-foot) statue of the Virgin Mary. This extraordinary work of art, designed and overseen by the esteemed Lin Zengtong, a recipient of the Legacy Award, was painstakingly crafted using resin, fiberglass (FRP), and cement. The resulting sculpture exudes grace and fluidity, a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of its era. 

The Great Mazu, in her seated posture dons a resplendent nine-draped double phoenix crown, a regal five-clawed golden dragon, and a vibrant orange robe, complemented by a crimson outer robe and hat. Gracefully holding Ruyi in her hands, she sits serenely upon a dragon-headed throne.

n 2010, some observant believers noticed magpies nesting on the right eyebrow of Mazu's crown. Concerned that the bird droppings might defile the statue, the temple authorities contemplated removing the nests. However, many devotees interpreted this as an auspicious sign. Chairman Chen Chaoming consulted Mazu's divine will and discovered that Mazu wished for the magpies to be left undisturbed. This compassionate act affirmed Mazu's role as a protector of the people and a symbol of empathy towards all living beings, even allowing magpies to nest on her forehead.

Address:

苗栗縣竹南鎮龍安街69號竹南后厝龍鳳宫

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