Ruins of the Dagukou Sea God Temple

Ruins of the Dagukou Sea God Temple

The ruins of the Dagukou Sea God Temple are a protected cultural heritage site of Tianjin Municipality.

The ruins of the Dagukou Sea God Temple are located at No. 27, Dagukou Shipyard Road, Tanggu, Binhai New Area, Tianjin, dating back to the 34th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1695).

The ruins of the Dagukou Sea God Temple are located on the former site of the Beiyang Fleet’s Dagukou Shipyard, which is now part of the Tianjin Shipyard. The center carried out initial rescue archaeological excavations at the site, discovering remains such as the Qing Dynasty sea god temple’s pathway, mountain gate, west side hall, imperial stele pavilion, and surrounding wall foundations. Artifacts unearthed include one white marble imperial stele from the Qing Dynasty dedicated to the sea god temple, five column bases, several other significant stone architectural components, as well as a large number of yellow and green glazed Qing Dynasty tiles—both tubular and flat—as well as tile ends. Also found were inscribed bricks stamped with the mark “Made by Yongtong Kiln” and a small number of Qing Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain fragments.

According to historical records, in 1695, Emperor Kangxi visited Dagukou, ordered the construction of this temple, composed the imperial inscription for the Sea God Temple stele, and personally wrote the plaque reading “Imperially Commissioned Dagukou Sea God Temple.” The emperors Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Tongzhi also successively bestowed plaques and couplets upon the Sea God Temple. In 1922, a fire broke out in the Guanyin Pavilion of the Sea God Temple, reducing the grand temple to ashes and leaving only the ruins.

On January 5, 2013, the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government designated it as part of the fourth batch of Tianjin Municipal Cultural Heritage Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Tianjin Municipal Cultural Heritage Protection Units