Baishatun Gongtian Temple's Allure

The Main Reading Text

Baishatun Gongtian Temple holds great significance for many people in Taiwan. Its biggest claim to fame is the annual Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage. This is a special long walk where many thousands of believers follow a statue of the goddess Mazu from Gongtian Temple to another temple in Yunlin County and back. This journey takes many days and covers hundreds of kilometers, showing deep religious devotion.

Because of its importance and the famous pilgrimage, Baishatun Gongtian Temple attracts a very large number of visitors throughout the year. In fact, in 2024, it was the most visited tourist attraction in all of Miaoli County. Records show that about 3,930,000 people visited the temple that year!

To put that number in perspective, the second most popular place in Miaoli was Shang Shun World, an entertainment park, with about 3,310,000 visitors. The third was Shitoushan Scenic Area, known for its nature and temples, with 2,100,000 visitors. Other popular spots included Sanyi Wood Sculpture Street and Longfeng Fishing Port, but Gongtian Temple had the highest visitor count by far.

When you visit the area around Baishatun Gongtian Temple, you can do more than just visit the temple itself. Many people come to pray to Mazu for blessings. Outside the temple, the streets are often busy and lively. There are numerous food stalls selling delicious local snacks and food. Visiting the temple and its surroundings is a wonderful way to experience Taiwanese religious culture and enjoy tasty local treats.

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Key Learning Points

點擊下方的頁籤，切換不同的學習重點。

significance

n.

[sɪgˋnɪfəkəns] — 重要性；意義

The importance of an event, action, etc., especially because of the effects or influence it will have in the future.

• The discovery of the new drug is of great significance for people with heart disease.
  這項新藥的發現對於心臟病患者具有重大的意義。
• He didn't understand the significance of the ceremony.
  他不了解這個儀式的重要性。

pilgrimage

n.

[ˋpɪlgrəmɪdʒ] — 朝聖；參拜之行

A journey to a holy place for religious reasons.

• Every year, many Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca.
  每年都有許多穆斯林前往麥加朝聖。
• The Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage is a major religious event in Taiwan.
  白沙屯媽祖遶境是台灣一項重要的宗教活動。

devotion

n.

[dɪˋvoʃən] — 奉獻；忠誠；虔誠

Great love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.

• The followers showed their devotion by walking for days.
  信徒們透過連續行走數日來展現他們的虔誠。
• She is known for her devotion to her family.
  她以對家庭的奉獻而聞名。

perspective

n.

[pɚˋspɛktɪv] — 觀點；看法；客觀判斷

A way of thinking about something; the ability to think about problems and decisions in a reasonable way without making them seem worse or more important than they really are.

• To put things in perspective, the new stadium can hold more people than the entire town's population.
  客觀地說，這座新體育場的容量比整個鎮的人口還多。
• Traveling can help you gain a new perspective on life.
  旅行可以幫助你對生活獲得新的觀點。

attraction

n.

[əˋtrækʃən] — 景點；有吸引力的人或事物

A place that people visit for pleasure and interest, e.g., a castle or a theme park.

• The Eiffel Tower is Paris's most famous tourist attraction.
  艾菲爾鐵塔是巴黎最著名的旅遊景點。
• The main attraction of the festival was the fireworks display.
  節慶最吸引人的地方是煙火表演。

numerous

a.

[ˋnjumərəs] — 許多的；大量的

Existing in large numbers; many.

• He has won numerous awards for his work.
  他的作品為他贏得了無數獎項。
• There are numerous food stalls outside the temple.
  寺廟外有許多小吃攤。