Baozhong Maming Temple (Zhenan Palace) | Yunlin Attraction

Maming Temple, commonly known as the "General Temple of the Five-Year Thousand Years Deities," is dedicated to Lord Chi (Chi Fu Qian Sui). Every five years it holds the large-scale "Taiwan Outer Five Camps Patrol" procession and pilgrimage event, one of Taiwan's important folk cultural events. The temple is of considerable scale; incense banners from Wang Ship faith temples across Taiwan hang in its halls, making it a gathering place for the Wang Ship faith of southern Taiwan.

Highlights of Maming Temple

The Lord Chi enshrined at Zhenan Palace belongs to Taiwan's Five-Year Wang Ye faith system, centered on driving away pestilence and protecting communities. The Five-Year Grand Ceremony procession, held once every five years, is regarded as the highest celebration of the Five-Year Wang Ye faith across Taiwan. The temple is among the larger coastal Yunlin temples; the incense banners from temples across Taiwan that hang in its halls document the network of connections among sub-temples throughout the country, providing a concrete object for understanding the organizational structure of Taiwan's temple faith.

During the Five-Year Grand Ceremony, pilgrimage groups from across Taiwan converge on Baozhong; the procession is enormous in scale and diverse in performance arts, including Songjiang Battle Array, Eight Generals, and Electronic Music Third Prince — mixing traditional and contemporary folk performance forms. During the event, visitor numbers in Baozhong Township far exceed normal levels, creating one of the rare large-scale temple fair spectacles in Yunlin County. In non-Grand Ceremony years, the temple maintains regular incense offerings with a comparatively quiet atmosphere.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

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Wang Ship CultureThe Wang Ship is the central ritual object symbolizing the plague-expulsion vessel in Taiwan's Wang Ye-sending ceremonies. When visiting the temple, observe the related objects on display to understand the ritual logic of the Wang Ye faith.

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Five-Year Grand CeremonyThe Grand Ceremony procession is held once every five years; the next date must be checked via the temple's announcements. During the event, arrange transportation and accommodation in advance, as crowds are large.

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Incense BannersThe incense banners from sub-temples hanging in the halls serve as an educational resource for observing Taiwan's temple faith network; you can note the distribution across counties and cities.

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Regular VisitsIn non-Grand Ceremony years, free visits are welcome on ordinary days. Check the temple's information for opening hours; please follow the temple's regulations for incense offerings.

Practical Information

Getting There and Time

Baozhong Township has no train station; driving is the primary option. From Beigang the drive is about 20 minutes; from Douliu about 40 minutes.
The temple is generally open all day. During the Five-Year Grand Ceremony, traffic restrictions are in place; check traffic guidance from the temple and Baozhong Township Office in advance.
The Grand Ceremony also has evening programs; if you plan to attend at night, arrange accommodation, with options mainly in neighboring townships.

Nearby Connections

Can be paired with Tuku Shuntian Temple and the Sihu Taiwan Tilapia Aquaculture Area to plan a full-day Yunlin coastal culture and agricultural fisheries route.
Taixi Seaside Park is about a 30-minute drive from Baozhong and can be extended to take in ocean views and sunset.

Sources: Temple records and documentation on Taiwan folk faith. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.

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