The temple was founded in 1949 after a group of residents reported experiencing supernatural manifestations of the Mother Goddess of the Western Heaven.
It is considered the cradle of the Cihui faith in Taiwan, with formal religious rituals documented here since the mid-20th century.
The complex architecture utilizes the 'northern palace style' of construction, common in imperial-influenced Chinese temple design.
The temple annually hosts large-scale birthday celebrations for Yaochi Jinmu, drawing thousands of devotees from across the country.
Sheng An Temple, known as the Cihui Temple, is the primary center of worship for the Mother Goddess of the Western Heaven (Yaochi Jinmu) in Taiwan. It serves as the 'Ancestral Temple' for over a thousand Cihui branches across the island. The architecture is defined by its vibrant color palette, featuring bright yellow roof tiles and intricate traditional Chinese woodwork. The temple complex is situated at the base of the mountains in Ji’an Township, Hualien County. It encompasses multiple halls decorated with detailed relief carvings and dragon motifs. The main courtyard provides an expansive view of the surrounding Hualien valley and coastal landscape. It remains an active site of pilgrimage for followers of the Yaochi belief system.
The main temple stairs looking upward toward the ornate roof structures.
Visit the higher viewing decks for unobstructed panoramic vistas of the Hualien valley.
Respect the ongoing religious ceremonies by avoiding photography inside the main altar halls during active prayer sessions.
Walk the perimeter of the courtyard to observe the high level of detail in the stone and wood craftsmanship.
Do not attempt to photograph worshippers directly during their prayers without permission.
Dress modestly, maintain a quiet demeanor, and do not step on the threshold of the temple entrances.
