Suao Nantian Temple, or Nantiangong, is one of the most famous Mazu temples in Taiwan. Mazu, also known as Tianhou, is an indigenous goddess of the sea who, it is said, protects fishermen and sailors. She is widely worshipped in the south-eastern coastal areas of China and neighboring areas in Southeast Asia, especially Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan and Vietnam, all of which have strong sea-faring traditions. The three-storey Nantian Temple houses two marvelous statues of the goddess Mazu. One statue is made of jade, the other of 200kg of pure gold.[China.org.cn/VCG]