Tianhou Palace [Photo provided to enquanzhou.com]

First built during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Tianhou Palace is one of the largest and oldest temples dedicated to the maritime goddess Mazu in China.

Its buildings still preserve the components of the Song Dynasty and the wooden buildings of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. The museum in the palace collects and displays many precious historical and folk relics of Fujian province and Taiwan.

Tianhou Palace was not only a witness of the Maritime Silk Road, but also an important link between people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.