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Donglong Temple was first built in 1706 (the 45th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign in the Qing Dynasty), but in 1894 (the 20th year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign) a tsunami sent towering waves that completely washed away the temple’s foundations, forcing its relocation and reconstruction into the Donglong Temple seen today. The temple is a pivotal center of faith for Donggang, especially its triennial “Welcoming the Royal Lords Festival,” which has become a civic celebration for the entire town. The climax is the “Burning of the Royal Boat,” a ritual that pushes the religious fervor to its height and has made the festival renowned island-wide. The principal deity enshrined is Royal Lord Wen, whose secular name was Hong and courtesy name Dexiu. Born in 609 (the 5th year of Emperor Yang of Sui), he lived into the Tang dynasty’s Zhenguan era. Legend says that when Emperor Taizong was traveling incognito and met danger, Wen Hong helped rescue him. Thirty-six scholars who aided in the rescue were subsequently granted the jinshi degree, and because they later succeeded in quelling bandits throughout the land, their fame spread. Wen Hong was further elevated to the rank of Royal Lord. While on an imperial tour by ship, the thirty-six scholars perished in a maritime disaster. Grief-stricken, Emperor Taizong accepted their deification, posthumously bestowing upon them the title “Imperial Inspectors Touring on Heaven’s Behalf” and ordering the construction of the “Royal Lord Wen’s Ship.” Inside were enshrined tablets to Royal Lord Wen and his sworn brothers, and on the hull were written the imperial characters “Tour the prefecture, eat at the prefecture; tour the county, eat at the county,” proclaiming to all that the people must receive them with reverence. Because Donggang’s residents live from the sea, they believe that so long as they worship devoutly, the sea-god Royal Lord Wen will protect the entire port and its surroundings. The temple follows a three-hall, five-gate plan with double-eaved, upswept roofs. In front stands a resplendent, exquisitely carved three-bay pailou gateway whose grandeur is immediately imposing. Though rebuilt, the temple still preserves many historic relics: century-old inscribed boards, green-dolomite dragon pillars, the old Royal Lord Wen’s boat that once safeguarded voyages, and an ancient bronze bell said to have withstood repeated attempts to melt it down—each worth pausing to admire. The triennial Royal Boat Festival, part of the Welcoming the Royal Lords celebration, traces its roots to Donggang’s early settlement. Entrusted with the tasks of praying for blessings, expelling evil, and averting calamity, the rites strictly follow ceremonial protocols handed down from the Qing period. The entire sequence comprises thirteen stages, key ones including building the royal boat, inviting the Royal Lords, passing over fire, circumambulating the township, transferring the boat, and sending off the Lords, culminating in the burning of the royal boat and the lowering of flags and drums. The festival is lengthy, large in scale, and pervaded by solemn religious atmosphere, earning the saying “North Xigang, South Donggang” among Taiwan’s royal-boat ceremonies.