Chaotien Temple was originally named the Heavenly Goddess Temple. It was renamed to commemorate Matsu's origin from Chaotien Pavilion in Meizhou of mainland China.

Completed in 1694, it is now the most popular Matsu temple in Taiwan and has the most divided divinities. A big fire in October 1894 burned down many houses in Beigang, but spared most of the temple, so the story of a miracle started circulating. Architectural feats, such as dragon columns, dragon king carvings, decorated eaves and colorful murals, can be seen in every corner of the temple.

I visited the temple last week. Unfortunately, Chaotien Temple is undergoing reconstruction, so I was unable to see what the temple really looks like. However, many pilgrims still visit the temple.

As a matter of fact, March 19, according to the Chinese Lunar calendar, is a big day for Chaotien Temple every year. A two-day event is held in the temple to bless pilgrims. Sounds of roaring firecrackers fill the air until dawn. Tens of thousands of pilgrims come to participate in the celebration of traditional Taiwanese folk arts. Today, Chaotien Temple's event is not only a major religious occasion in Taiwan, but also an important tourism activity.

Beigang preserves many traditional businesses. The Chungshan Road in front of Chaotien Temple, which is about 1000m long, has many traditional stores. Most of these stores have been open for over 50 years -- some of them are even 100 years old. The stores do business by following traditional ways. Their specialties are as follows:

Beigang Cakes

Details about the origin of Beigang Cakes vary from person to person, but everyone knows they are used to celebrate educational achievements or weddings. Local bakers increased the original palm-sized pastry to 1.8kg, with fillings such as egg yolk, stewed meat, shredded meat, and red bean paste. Today, these traditional wedding cakes are the most famous Beigang specialty.

Beigang Peanuts and Broad Beans

Peanuts and broad beans are popular snacks in Taiwan. On the other side of the Beigang River is a vast sandy area suitable for growing peanuts. Since broad beans must be deep fried, Beigang's existing oil industry provides a competitive advantage.Sesame Oil

Early Beigang farmers made cooking oil from their own crops. Later, they started selling them, and quite a few of these establishments still remain today. The oil is made using the old way, which starts with laying straw at the bottom of the oil press.

Steamed sesame is then wrapped in India paper and stuffed into a thick steel ring to be cold pressed. Popular items such as sesame oil, tea oil and peanut oil are known for their superior quality and traditional flavors. The stores are well-known around the island.

Glutinous Rice Malt

There is a store that has been making malt sugar for three generations. The malt sugar features in high concentrations and can be dissolved in hot water to drink, as it is very good for the throat.

Concurrently, the Yunlin Good Gods Festival is being hold at the Beigang Sugar Refinery in Beigang Town. Foreign Good Gods and the local Matsu God are invited to the showground to bring wealth, health and luck to visitors.

There are six major pavilions in the festival, including Taiwanese Wealth Gods, Foreign Wealth Gods, Yunlin Culture, Puppet Show, Gambling Cities and Good Fortune.

In addition to these standing exhibitions, dance groups from Thailand, Japan, Tibet, Greece, India and Kenya are performing at the showground. The festival will end on April 6.

At the end of Chungshan Road, there is a newly constructed red bridge, named the Beigang Tourist Bridge, which connects the counties of Yunlin and Chiayi. It has quickly become a landmark and major attraction in Beigang.

The 450m-long and 6m-wide Nielson steel arch bridge is composed of three bridge rings. Like a giant dragon, the bridge traverses the Beigang River, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to cross.