Fengjing Shi Wang Temple

Fengjing Shi Wang Temple

Fengjing Shi Wang Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Shi Wang Temple, commonly known as Shi Wang Hall, is located at No. 409 Beidajie in Fengjing, an important Taoist site.

Shi Wang Temple was built in the seventh year of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty (1579). Shi Wang, whose real name was Shi Quan, was a historical figure. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty, he served as a military officer in the Hall Front Command. Folk tales describe him as a loyal general under Yue Fei, the hero who resisted the Jin invaders. After Yue Fei was executed at Fengbo Pavilion, Shi Quan disguised himself and attempted to assassinate Qin Hui in the chancellor’s residence but failed. He then left the capital and returned to his hometown. Later, the imperial court conferred upon him the title of "Dinghai Marquis," granting him authority over the coastal areas of Jinshan and nearby Zhejiang, where he performed many good deeds for the local people. Another version of the story says he tried to kill Qin Hui after the chancellor’s court session, but failed and was dismembered and executed in public by Qin Hui. Because he inherited the loyalty and patriotism of Yue Fei’s army, he was deeply loved by the people. After his death, he was posthumously honored as the "Jingjiang King."

To commemorate Shi Quan, the people of Fengjing raised 400 taels of silver in the seventh year of the Wanli era and built Shi Wang Temple in the northern part of Fengjing. It was rebuilt in the 30th year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty (1904), consisting of a front, middle, and rear hall. Stone horses stand on both sides of the front hall, while two wooden boats are placed on either side of the middle hall. The rear hall is the main hall, with the statues of Shi Quan and his wife enshrined on the ground floor, and an elaborately carved wooden bed on the upper floor, said to be Shi Quan’s bedroom. Nearby, there are also more than ten rooms used as living quarters for Taoist priests. In front of the temple is a liberation pond, with an arched stone bridge called Shi Wang Bridge built over it (now rebuilt). The entire Shi Wang Temple covers an area of more than 3,000 square meters, making it one of the larger Taoist temples in the Jiangnan region. Starting from the mid-Qing Dynasty, to commemorate Shi Quan’s birthday on the second day of the eighth lunar month, the Shi Wang Festival was held. During the festival, villagers from dozens of miles around would flock to Fengjing to join the temple fair, creating a lively atmosphere. The festivities included the “eye-opening ceremony” for Lord Shi, his parade, boat-rowing performances, fireworks, stilt-walking, and opera performances, usually lasting two to three days. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, as the City God Temple Festival declined, the Shi Wang Temple Festival became the most bustling event in Fengjing. Elderly residents recall with fondness how the procession during Lord Shi’s parade stretched for several kilometers, creating a spectacular scene. The Shi Wang Temple Fair continued until 1966. Afterwards, the main hall of the temple was converted into a staff canteen for Fengjing Primary School, and the front hall became a small shop run by Fengjing Middle School.

The Shi Wang Temple has now been rebuilt.

Location

No. 409 Beidajie, Jinshan District, Shanghai