MAZU TEMPLE

Located near the village of Mazu, on the west side of Nangan Island, this temple is the oldest in the archipelago, and is said to have housed the relics of the goddess Mazu. Although its name suggests that the goddess was originally from these islands, Mazu would come from Putian, a little further south than the eponymous archipelago. But the special bond that the Taiwanese keep with this marine deity may explain its etymology. The beach just opposite is quite significant of the archipelago's military past, with its military installations, including tanks.