Xitang Holy Hall

Xitang Holy Hall

The Holy Hall is located in the north of Shaogang Port. Originally known as the Pangong Ancestral Hall, it was dedicated to the imperial inspector Pang Shangpeng. It was first built in 1575 (the third year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty), with local resident Yao Shou writing a record of it. In 1674 (the thirteenth year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty), Shen Zhigao renovated it and replaced the original deity with an image of Guan Yu, and it became commonly known as the “Holy Hall.” In 1711 (the fiftieth year of the Kangxi reign), the hall and corridors were renovated again, and the name was changed to Jingjue Nunnery, but locals still referred to it as the “Holy Hall.”

Holy Hall

At the height of its popularity, so many worshippers would flock to the Holy Hall that many couldn’t get inside, and instead knelt to pray on the street outside, inserting candles into the ground. During the Spring Festival, when the Holy Hall Temple Fair was held, the street became even livelier, with queues of worshippers stretching all the way from the Holy Hall to the mouth of Shaogang Port. Temporary food stalls would pop up along the street, while the main hall of the Holy Hall sold all kinds of paintings. A local saying went: “Visit the temple fair, admire the paintings, and eat shaomai (steamed dumplings).”

On the fifth day of the first lunar month each year, local merchants would make a point of going to the Holy Hall to burn incense and worship, exchanging home-made pumpkin paste ingots for those from the Holy Hall—symbolizing a prosperous year ahead. The period from the Spring Festival to the end of the Lantern Festival, known as “Visiting the Holy Hall,” is a major traditional festival in Xitang.

Special Tips

Worshipping and praying for blessings are voluntary acts for believers, and one should follow their heart. However, if any tour guide or self-proclaimed eminent monk offers you “free services” enthusiastically, such as fortune-telling or burning high-incense sticks, do not engage—otherwise, you might find your red banknotes being taken away before you know it. Remember, remember!!

Address: North Street, Shaogang Port, Xitang Town, Jiashan County, Jiaxing City

Type: Historical Site

Recommended Visiting Time: About 20 minutes

Opening Hours:

8:30-17:00

Ticket Information:

No admission fee. Included in the 100 RMB combined ticket for the Xitang scenic area.

Xitang Town: Xitang, formerly known as Xietang. Established as a market town during the Ming Dynasty, it was bordered by Yong’an and Qianshan townships, initially named Xietang and later called Xitang. Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn Period, Wu Zixu stationed troops here and dug the Wuzitang Canal to improve water conservancy, bringing water from Xushan Mountain directly into the region, hence it was also called Xutang. Xitang Town is located in the northern part of Jiashan County, at the junction of three provinces and municipalities—Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Zhejiang—boasting a prime geographical location, often referred to as the “Corner of Wu and Yue.” It lies 90 km east of Shanghai, 110 km west of Hangzhou, 85 km north of Suzhou, and 9 km south of Jiashan County’s urban center. The town center is geographically positioned at 120°53′ east longitude and 30°56′ north latitude. With both land and water routes... More detailed information about Xitang Town++