Pitou Hexing Temple is a Mazu temple in Hexing Village, Pitou Township, Changhua County, first recorded as built in 1779 during the Qing dynasty; it enshrines an unexploded WWII bomb from a 1944 US air raid and is popularly known as the "Bomb Mazu" temple.
Temple records date Hexing Temple's founding to 1779, with restorations in 1828 and 1931. During a 1944 US air raid, a 500-pound bomb landed near what is now Yongfeng Village without detonating. On May 1, 1999, local residents helped excavate the bomb casing, which is now enshrined in the temple as a historical artifact (Sources: Wikipedia, National Cultural Memory Bank).
What to see at Pitou Hexing Temple
Hexing Temple was founded during the Qing dynasty and is dedicated primarily to Tianshang Shengmu. The temple architecture follows the traditional Minnan three-bay-hall (sanchuandian) layout with a wide forecourt, and the annual lunar calendar temple fair attracts worshippers from surrounding townships. The unexploded bomb preserved inside the temple reportedly hit the ground without detonating during the war. Worshippers regarded this as a miracle of divine protection and enshrined the bomb in the temple, where it became a unique historical artifact.
The presence of this unexploded bomb sets Hexing Temple apart from the many other Mazu temples in Taiwan, drawing history researchers and curious visitors who make a point of coming to see it. The temple's own craftsmanship is also worth examining closely: the cut-porcelain ridge decorations and stone-carved components are in good condition, making it one of the representative examples of traditional temple architecture in southern Changhua.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there & timing
- Pitou Township has no train station. Driving is required; from Beidou Township, head south for about 10 minutes to reach Hexing Village. There is parking space in front of the temple.
- The temple is open year-round; daytime visits, when incense burning is most active, are best. During the Mazu birthday fair (3rd lunar month), crowds are at their peak — confirm the event dates in advance.
Nearby connections
- Beidou Dian'an Temple is about 10 to 15 minutes away. Combining the two into a southern Changhua temple culture half-day trip is easy.
- Heading south extends the itinerary to the Dacheng Zhuoshui River estuary for a full day combining natural ecology with the temple visit.
Source: Pitou Township Office, Hexing Temple historical records. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Hexing Temple called the "Bomb Mazu" temple?
It enshrines an unexploded WWII bomb from a 1944 US air raid, which worshippers regard as evidence of Mazu's protection, giving rise to the nickname "Bomb Mazu."
When was Hexing Temple built?
Temple records date its founding to 1779 during the Qing dynasty, with restorations in 1828 and 1931.
When was the unexploded bomb excavated and enshrined?
On May 1, 1999, local residents helped excavate the bomb casing near Yongfeng Village and enshrined it in the temple.
Sources
- 埤頭合興宮 - 維基百科 — 建廟年代與未爆彈事件經過
- 彰化埤頭媽祖接炸彈｜國家文化記憶庫 — 未爆彈挖出供奉事件細節