During the years of Emperor Jiaqing in Qing Dynasty, Lukang already had eight trade associations (Read as “Hang Jiao”). “Jiao” is today’s business associations. Lukang Rimaohang is also known as “Ri Temple”; it was the largest trading company in Quanzhou’s business association. It was the richest business in Lukang from the years of Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty to the 20th year of Emperor Daoguang in Qing Dynasty (1840).

Rimaohang’s Lin Family was the first of Lukang’s eight tradition associations. The family was happy in doing good. At the 42nd year of Emperor Qianlong in Qing Dynasty (1777), the family contributed funds to set up a charity organization, Jingyiyuan, in Lukang, using recycling paper, setting up public graves, collecting corpses, and repairing bridges to benefit home villages; it was the largest charity organization at that time. In addition, Rimaohang once participated in local affairs such as the relocation of Lukang Longshan Temple in the 51st year of Emperor Qianlong and the building of Tianhou Temple (today’s Xinzu Temple) in the 52nd years of Emperor Qianlong. Rimaohang’s contribution and deeds for Lukang are still circulated and extolled in Lukang today.

Rimaohang’s structural layout is three structures and two yards. Currently only the Entrance Hall and Main Hall left. Rimaohang’s front courtyard is covered with Quanzhou stone plates. There are several rock mounts in front of the square; those were stage stone during thanksgiving plays. In 1967, Rimaohang was re-constructed; Lukang’s Master Shi, Jin-Yi undertook the color painting work of the Main Hall, Hemei Chen-Yin Sect applied on the color painting, and Calligrapher Ouyang Jin-hua wielded his writing brush on-site, leaving precious ink mark. In 2000, Rimaohang was appointed as county level historic site. The place was carried out historic site restoration in 2003; the restoration work was finished in December 2005.

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