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Ciyu Palace is dedicated to Mazu, commonly known as Zhonggang Mazu. Along with Beigang Chaotian Temple and Donggang Donglong Temple, it is one of the "Three Mazu Temples in Taiwan". Every year on the 15th day of the first lunar month, people come to admire the lanterns. The temple festivals on March 23rd and September 9th, as well as the Yuanshi (filial piety) rituals during the Mid-Autumn Festival, often bring a rare and lively scene to Zhonggang. The main decorations of Ciyu Palace are stone carvings, including the entrance, gate and eaves decorations, corridors, and pillars. A pair of Qingdou stone lions at the front door of the temple are known to be the earliest stone carvings in the palace. The coiled dragon stone pillars in the front hall are a pair of early dragon pillars that have been preserved, and their slender carvings are a distinctive feature of the palace. Apart from the Lantern Festival's "bombing Handan", another notable folk activity of Ciyu Palace is the "Wash Harbour and Sacrifice to the River". This is a unique summer Mazu pilgrimage that takes place on the Dragon Boat Festival. Mazu leads four other deities to tour Zhonggang and performs various rituals at the mouth of the sea. After the ritual, everyone must quietly leave with their backs to the sea, while the gods face the sea and retreat, symbolizing the cleansing of the land and ensuring the safety of all. As for the origin of the name "Zhonggang", although it is located in the north of Taiwan, it was named because it is situated roughly in the middle between Lukang and Keelung, and early immigrants from the mainland considered it to be the central port. The "bombing Handan" event involves a sedan chair carrying a golden body of a deity, accompanied by four bearers dressed in specific attire and wielding brooms. They proceed along a route where devotees offer welcome firecrackers at designated points. Some notable artifacts in Ciyu Palace include a pair of Qingdou stone lions, which are known for their fine texture and unique sensation of being cool to the touch. There is also an ancient sandalwood incense burner and a well called "Jingjing Spring", which was allegedly built by Governor Liu Mingchuan during his stationing at Ciyu Palace. The well was constructed with stone and features a six-sided shape. Though it has been replaced by tap water, it still serves as a reminder of the struggles of early immigrants.