Love, Bonito’s Luna...
January 11, 2024
As you know, we went to La Union last week to celebrate an important milestone in my life and our first stop is to visit the Ma-Cho Temple in San Fernando, La Union. It’s a Taoist temple dedicated to Mazu, the Chinese sea Goddess built by the city’s Chinese community. The temple looks majestic and the place was serene. There is no entrance fee here and unlike other temples, it is open to the public whether you are worshiper or not.
The temple’s attractions include the Majestic Five Door Gate, which is very rare because typically Chinese temple has only three archways serving as the main gate. Along the entrance wall are large stone statues of the 18 Chinese saints in different poses. 2 circular ponds, all adorned with water lilies and Koi fish. Beside the middle pond lies a small structure where one can burn incense and leave offerings for the Gods and On the other side are statues of animals believed by the Chinese as good luck charms. You can also find a golden emblem of a dragon, a Bell Tower, a Drum Bamboo Garden, and a Liang Thing Pagoda Tower.
Pagoda Tower
The Welcome Arches of Ma-Cho Temple
Bell Tower
Drum Bamboo Garden
Frontage
The Surrounding Garden that has the statues of the 18 Chinese Saints
The Four Tiered Temple
Address: Quezon Avenue, Barangay II, San Fernando, La Union, Philippines.
How to Get Here:
From Manila or Dau, you can ride a bus going to the city of San Fernando via Partas, Viron, Dominion, or Florida. Ask the driver to drop you off at the sign of the Ma-Cho temple. You can also drop off at the waiting shed of the city or at the bus terminal of Partas and Dominion. Ride a tricycle going straight to the temple or you could also take a jeepney and tell the driver to drop you off the temple sign.
