Ma-Cho Temple

The Ma-Cho Temple was built in the 1970s on a hill overlooking San Fernando and the Lingayen Gulf, dedicated to Mazu - the Chinese sea goddess venerated across the coastal communities of Fujian and by Chinese diaspora populations throughout Southeast Asia. It is a substantial complex in southern Chinese temple style: tiered pagoda roofs in red and gold, dragon columns, courtyards on several levels linked by stairs, gardens and a shrine hall holding the image of the goddess. The Filipino-Chinese community of La Union built and maintains it, and the temple's calendar culminates in September, when the image is taken in procession and joined - in a piece of syncretism unique to this site - with the Marian devotion to Our Lady of Caysasay from Batangas, whose devotees identify the two figures. The hill position gives a view over the city and the gulf, and the grounds are quiet outside festival days.

What you actually see

• The pagoda halls - tiered red and gold roofs on the hill.
• The Mazu shrine - the sea goddess's image in the main hall.
• The terraced courtyards - levels linked by stairs and gardens.
• The gulf view - San Fernando and the sea below.

When to go

November to May for clear views. September for the Mazu festival and the joint procession, which is the temple's main event and busiest week.

Honest expectations

It is a place of worship - dress modestly, remove shoes where indicated, and ask before photographing inside the halls. The climb through the levels involves many steps. Quiet outside festival days.

Nearby

San Juan's surf beaches are twenty minutes north; the Baluarte watchtower at Luna is further up the coast.