Temple of the Duke Who Protected the Nation and Delivered Grain (Temple of the Seventh Lord)

Temple of the Duke Who Protected the Nation and Delivered Grain (Temple of the Seventh Lord)

The Temple of the Duke Who Protected the Nation and Delivered Grain (Temple of the Seventh Lord) is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Temple of the Seventh Lord, also known as the Temple of the Duke Who Protected the Nation and Delivered Grain, is located in Yanta Bay and was first built during the Ming Dynasty. Legend has it that a grain transport official surnamed Jin passed through Xitang. At that time, the suburbs of the town were suffering from severe drought, with no harvest at all and starving bodies lying along the roads—a tragic sight. Moved by compassion, Jin secretly distributed grain to provide relief, saving many famine victims. However, when he delivered the grain to the capital, the imperial court held him accountable. He chose death over dishonor, upholding the law. The people, grateful for his kindness, specially built this temple to commemorate him. As Jin was the seventh son in his family, the locals called him the Seventh Lord.

Temple of the Seventh Lord

In the front hall of the Temple of the Seventh Lord, the newer section has an entrance directly opening onto the street. On the south side of the street lies an open area by the river, where worshippers from rural areas or other regions can take boats directly to the temple entrance. Above the gate is the inscription “Temple of the Duke Who Protected the Nation and Delivered Grain,” written in six large characters by Jiang Weiyun, a renowned local calligrapher.

The front hall is airy and now serves as a foyer. Inside is a courtyard featuring large candle stands for worshippers. At the center of the courtyard stands a cast iron incense burner, 2.5 meters tall, inscribed with the words “Duke Who Protected the Nation and Delivered Grain.” Although the burner is somewhat rough in texture, it is solemn in appearance, donated by devout believers.

The rear hall largely preserves its original structure but has been renovated. Its architecture is quite unique, featuring a front corridor with ornate beams and rafters arched gracefully. The threshold of the hall is lined with a row of full-length wooden windows—a typical decorative feature in temples.

Stepping over the threshold, one looks up to see rows of neatly aligned beams in the corridor above—this is actually part of the main hall. The eaves corridor inside the hall is especially refined, resembling the grand hall of a noble family’s residence. The roof tiles are of premium quality, each meticulously planed and polished to a smooth and clean finish. This architectural style is rarely seen in ordinary temples.

Address: Ta Wan Street, Xitang Town, Jiashan County, Jiaxing City

Type: Historical Site

Recommended Visit Duration: About 15 minutes

Opening Hours:

Winter: 8:00–16:30, Summer: 8:00–17:00

Ticket Information:

No admission fee. Included in the Xitang Scenic Area 100-yuan combo ticket.

Xitang Town: Originally known as Xietang in ancient times. Established as a market town in the Ming Dynasty, it was initially named Xietang and later renamed 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, channeling water from Xushan directly into the area, hence it was also called Xutang. Xitang Town is located in the northern part of Jiashan County, at the junction of Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces, enjoying a strategic geographical position known as the “corner of Wu and Yue.” It is 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's central location is at longitude 120°53′ east and latitude 30°56′ north. With access to both water and land routes… Detailed information about Xitang Town++