九如三山國王廟

There are no silver arowanas in the pond, but there are shrimp and crabs. There are many Lu Kueh shops nearby, so it's a good place to take a stroll after a meal.

The Jiukuaicuo Sanshanwang Temple in Jiuru Township, Pingtung County, is a long-standing religious center in the area. Founded in 1778 (the 43rd year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign), it was initially built by local gentry Chen Qingxiang. It primarily worships the Three Mountain Kings (Jinshan, Mingshan, and Dushan), originating from Chaozhou, Guangdong, and is one of the oldest existing Sanshanwang temples in Taiwan. Its architecture blends Fujian and Guangdong styles. The wood carvings in the Sanchuan Hall depict scenes from *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* and *Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties*. The main hall displays a plaque inscribed with "威震海东" (Wei Zhen Hai Dong) from the Qianlong era, and the painted door gods are the work of national treasure master Pan Lishui, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The temple is famous for the legend of "Grand King Jiuru marrying a woman from the Xu family of Linluo." According to legend, during the Jiaqing era, Xu Xiutao (or Xu Yumei), a Hakka woman from Linluo, found a divine artifact and became entangled with the Grand King. After her death, she was revered as the "Grand King's Grandmother." Every year during the first month of the lunar calendar, the custom of "the Goddess and Goddess returning to their maternal home" continues in Jiuru and Linluo: on the second day of the first lunar month, the deity is welcomed to Linluo, and on the fifteenth day, Jiuru believers take them back, holding a procession and a "grandson lantern" ceremony, symbolizing ethnic integration and local intermarriage traditions. This anecdote not only became the source of the proverb "Linluo maternal uncle, Jiuru in-laws," but has also been listed as an intangible cultural asset, highlighting its unique cultural significance across the Minnan and Hakka ethnic groups. The temple has undergone numerous disasters and repairs. In 2004, it was registered as a county-designated historical site, and a large-scale restoration was completed in 2016, preserving its historical and artistic value.

The Jiuru Three Mountain Kings Temple, located in Jiuming Village, Jiuru Township, is a designated historical site of Pingtung County. Founded in 1747 (the 39th year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign), it primarily worships the "Three Mountain Kings," with secondary deities including Guanyin Buddha, the Kings themselves, and their consorts. It is the oldest and best-preserved Three Mountain Kings Temple in Taiwan. This temple is famous for a legend that connects Jiuru Township, Linluo Township, and Changzhi Township, spanning the Minnan and Hakka ethnic groups. The legend tells of the Great King of Jiuru Township marrying a woman from the Xu family of Linluo Township. It is understood that the Great King of the Three Mountain Kings Temple and a young woman from Linluo (Xu Xiutao) formed a divine marriage in 1819 (the 24th year of the Jiaqing Emperor's reign). Therefore, every year on the 16th day of the first lunar month, the Kings return to their maternal home. This unique practice among Three Mountain Kings Temples in Taiwan, and its profound historical and cultural value, necessitates its continued operation to deeply embed folk culture within the rural community. The Jiuru Sanshan King Temple is located in a fairly spacious area, with a front hall, a rear hall, and side rooms on the left and right. Visitors can not only see the antique buildings, but it is also a place of religious legend. Therefore, visitors who want to understand the culture can visit the Jiuru Sanshan King Temple to find out more.

The plaza in front is quite large, and it's nice to take a walk there, but there are always a lot of betel nut residue and cigarette butts on the ground, which is a bit of a shame.

This ancient temple, with its antique charm, has only recently been renovated. Legends and stories about the temple's inhabitants, including the deities Wangye and Wangtai, make it well worth a visit.