Pingzhen Baojhong Shrine was built in 1791 (the 56th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty) and enshrines Yimin Ye (the Righteousness Martyrs). It is one of the most important religious centers for Hakka communities in southern Taoyuan. Together with Xinpu Yimin Temple in Hsinchu County, the shrine belongs to the "Thirteen Grand Township Yimin Festival" joint worship alliance. Every year during the seventh lunar month, sacred pig competitions and a series of cultural events draw large numbers of Hakka devotees, making this an important site for understanding Hakka religious faith and ceremonial culture in Taiwan.
What to See at Pingzhen Baojhong Shrine
Yimin Ye, enshrined at Yimin temples, are the Hakka militia fighters who died during the Lin Shuangwen Incident of the Qianlong era. Their worship is rooted in the historical memory of Hakka migrants defending their homelands. Taiwan's Hakka community Yimin temple worship alliance is a rare trans-regional joint festival organization, with multiple villages taking turns hosting the Yimin Festival on a rotating basis, forming a close social network. As the Yimin temple for the Taoyuan region, Pingzhen Baojhong Shrine has long served as a symbolic site of local Hakka identity.
The temple's architectural layout is typical, with a main gate hall, main hall, and rear hall. The main hall enshrines the Yimin Ye spirit tablet. On ordinary days, incense-offering visitors and local residents come and go through the temple forecourt — a setting for observing the daily operations of a traditional Taiwanese temple. During the Yimin Festival in the seventh lunar month (approximately August to September in the solar calendar), activity around the temple intensifies, sacred pig competitions are held on a large scale, and visitor numbers increase substantially over the norm.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Time
- Taoyuan city buses serve Pingzhen District; bus routes run from both Zhongli and Taoyuan Train Stations. Check the latest route schedules.
- The shrine is open all day. During the Yimin Festival (seventh lunar month), traffic in the surrounding area may be congested; allow extra time.
Nearby Connections
- Pingzhen District has several Hakka culture-related attractions and restaurants that can be developed into a southern Taoyuan Hakka culture half-day itinerary.
- Combine with attractions in Zhongli urban area or toward Longtan to form a complete southern Taoyuan Hakka route.
Sources: Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, temple data; Council for Hakka Affairs, Yimin faith related materials. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.