Fengtian Temple after the 1906 Meishan earthquake.

Bengang is the historical name of a major port city along the Beigang River which flourished as both a trade center and a pirate's haven. In 1700, a temple named Tianhou Temple was founded in the city and dedicated to Mazu. However, the Bengang was very prone to flooding, and a flood in 1799[1][2][3][a] destroyed Tianhou Temple completely. Half of the temple relics were taken to the nearby Chaotian Temple in modern-day Beigang, while the other half was taken to Xingang, a new settlement 5 km (3.1 mi) east built by displaced Bengang residents. In Xingang, the relics were temporarily stored inside a small Tudigong temple.[1][6]

In 1811,[1][3][b] Xingang residents built Fengtian Temple to house the rescued relics under the leadership of Qing General Wang De-lu. After the flood, Fengtian Temple and Chaotian Temple argued about who was the true successor to the destroyed Tianhou Temple, so in 1826, Wang negotiated a compromise: the head Mazu statue belonged to Fengtian Temple, the second Mazu statue belonged to Chaotian Temple, and Wang would take the third Mazu statue to his residence in Xibei Village 5 km (3.1 mi) south of Xingang.[c] Even with the agreement, the two temples are still at odds to this day.[2][5]

In 1905, Fengtian Temple was destroyed due to earthquake damage.[d] The temple's restoration lasted from 1906 to 1917 and was led by Wu Haitong [zh], a well-known woodworker of the era.[3][11]

On August 18, 1985, Fengtian Temple was protected as a county-level monument for its "historical, cultural, and artistic value."[11]

In 1988, the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage changed its destination from Chaotian Temple to Fengtian Temple. That year, Dajia's Jenn Lann Temple made changes to the pilgrimage that implied seniority over Chaotian Temple, which angered the latter. Fengtian Temple officials proposed that the pilgrimage should end in Xingang instead, and the pilgrimage has never returned to Beigang ever since.[12][5][13]: 1347–1350 

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