Suantou Sugar Factory Peitian Temple

A Mazu temple on the grounds of Suantou Sugar Factory, the only such temple built inside a sugar factory during the Japanese colonial era. In 1911, when the factory’s alcohol distillery was plagued by accidents and mechanical failures, workers attributed the trouble to a black dog demon said to haunt the area. The Japanese management, normally opposed to religious activity on factory grounds, relented and allowed workers to invite Mazu from Puzi Peitian Temple to subdue the spirit. After a set of dog bones was unearthed and destroyed the disturbances ceased, and a thatched shrine was erected in gratitude. It was formalized as a proper temple in 1921 and more recently rebuilt to modern standards.