Shanghai City God Temple (Old City God Temple Tourist Area)

Shanghai City God Temple (Old City God Temple Tourist Area)

Shanghai City God Temple (Old City God Temple Tourist Area) is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a Shanghai municipal cultural relics protection unit.

Shanghai's famous landmark and historic temple — the City God Temple — is located on Fangbang Middle Road, west of Anren Street. Originally built as the Jinshan Shrine, it was dedicated to Huo Guang, Marquis of Bolu of the Han Dynasty (also known as the Huo Guang Shrine). Covering an area of approximately 25,000 square meters, Shanghai has had a City God Temple since the Song Dynasty. The original site was on what is now Yongjia Road, called Danjing Temple, also known as the Huating County City God’s Traveling Palace. At that time, Shanghai was just a town under Huating County, so Danjing Temple was actually the City God temple of Huating County. In the 28th year of the Yuán era (1291), Shanghai was established as a county, and the Jinshan Shrine was converted into the City God Temple. It wasn't until the Yong’an years of the Ming Dynasty (1403–1424) that Shanghai’s own City God Temple came into being. In the 48th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1710), local residents raised funds to build the East Garden on the left side of the temple, making it a scenic spot in the city. By the mid-Qianlong period, the Pan family’s Yu Garden was sold to the City God Temple and became the West Garden after renovation. With merchants gathering and businesses flourishing, the City God Temple soon became a renowned marketplace for small commodities, local specialties, and unique goods.

In July of the 13th year of the Republic of China (1924), a fire broke out, destroying the main hall and other structures. In November of the same year, the east wing also caught fire, damaging the halls. Due to the severe losses and the high cost of reconstruction, figures such as Huang Jinrong and Du Yuesheng initiated fundraising efforts, forming a board of directors to rebuild the temple. The reconstructed City God Temple featured reinforced concrete structures for the main and secondary halls, while maintaining the appearance of a traditional ancient temple, including hip-and-gable roofs, upturned eaves, colorful beams, and painted rafters. The beams were adorned with illustrations from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Qin Xitian wrote: “The hall is forty-eight feet high and sixty-three point three feet deep, constructed with cement materials, using not a single brick or piece of wood, yet with its colorful brackets, painted beams, green tiles, and red eaves, it still adheres to the ceremonial style of ancient temples...”

Along the central axis, south of Fangbang Middle Road, there is a screen wall and flagpoles. In front of the temple is a stone-pillar memorial archway, first built in the 14th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1543), with the inscription “Protector of the Coastal Frontier” written by a young child from Yongjia. Inside is a stage. In front of the main hall is a courtyard that once held a stele pavilion with coiled-dragon stone pillars. The stele was engraved by Magistrate Li Wen during the Tian Shun years of the Ming Dynasty (1457–1464). There was also a bronze incense burner, all of which were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Religious activities resumed at the temple in 1994.

Nearby Attractions: In addition to the Taoist Old City God Temple, the Yu Garden area also includes the Buddhist Chenxiang Pavilion, the Islamic Xiaotaoyuan Mosque, the Taoist Dajing Guan Di Temple, and the Catholic Joseph’s Church.

Address: No. 1 Yicheng Road, Huangpu District

Transportation: Buses 11, 42, 64, 66, 126, and 926 can get you there.

Address: No. 249 Fangbang Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

Type: Historic Site / Taoist Temple

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1–2 hours

Phone: 021-63284494

Official Website: http://www.shchm.org/

Opening Hours:

8:30-16:30