Nanjing Tianhou Palace

Nanjing Tianhou Palace

Nanjing Tianhou Palace is a cultural relic protection unit of Nanjing.

Nanjing Tianhou Palace is located at No. 488 Shengzhou Road, Qinhuai District. Built in 1758 during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was funded by Jin Pu Cai Changyun, the then Jiangning Prefect, along with Fujian merchants and officials as a place to worship the Heavenly Queen. The existing northern wall of the main hall still bears an inscription noting the construction date of the “Imperially Authorized Tianhou Palace.” Two steles are also found on the western wall of the side halls: one erected in 1758 during the Qianlong reign documenting “the reasons and process for relocating the Old Guild Hall from Yangpi Lane to inside Shuimen Gate,” and another from 1812, the 17th year of the Jiaqing reign, inscribed with the text “Imperially Authorized Tianhou Holy Mother Palace” located inside Shuimen Gate, funded by Fujian merchants and officials. This stele further confirms that the Shuimen Tianhou Palace and the Fujian Guild were combined into one shared activity venue. In 1982, it was designated as a district-level cultural relic protection unit.

The Heavenly Holy Mother is part of the Taoist pantheon. Amid calls from many Taoist devotees to restore Taoist activity sites, and with the support and attention of municipal and district governments and relevant departments, Tianhou Palace was officially approved as a site for Taoist activities in Nanjing. This restored the long-interrupted incense offerings at the palace—over 60 years—and allowed its sacred virtue to shine anew. After a year of renovation and reconstruction, the site now includes the main hall dedicated to the Heavenly Mother, as well as auxiliary halls such as the God of Wealth Hall, Goddess of Mercy Hall, Yuan Chen Pavilion, and Ancestral Hall. It enshrines over ten deities including the Heavenly Holy Mother, the True Martial Emperor, the God of Literature, the Goddess of Mercy, the God of Wealth, the Jade Emperor, the Divine Physician Hua Tuo, and the God of Thunder Wang Lingguan. It has since been listed as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit, filling a gap in Nanjing’s multi-faith religious landscape. It not only meets the needs of Taoist followers but also adds a “Taoist” cultural attraction to the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties.

At the same time, the “Nanjing Tianhou Painting and Calligraphy Academy” is also located within the palace, bringing together numerous domestic and international painters and enthusiasts. Currently, Tianhou Palace also has its own scripture and music ensemble, which has been invited to perform at Nanjing’s “Compassion in the Human World – Five Faiths Together” charity gala. On the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, as well as during major Taoist festivals, the palace holds related Taoist rituals or ceremonies, including initiation rites for Taoist disciples and Taoist services.