Zhenze Temple in Shahe

Zhenze Temple in Shahe

Zhenze Temple in Shahe is a cultural relic protection unit of Xingtai City.

Zhenze Temple in Shahe is located in Zhaosishui Village, Shahe City, Xingtai, Hebei Province, on the west side of the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway. Originally built during the Kaiyuan era (713–741) of the Tang Dynasty, it has a history of over 1,200 years. It has been renovated and expanded through successive dynasties, and by the Ming Dynasty had become a grand Taoist temple complex. The temple is shaded by ancient cypresses, its main halls are majestic and imposing, and stone steles stand like a forest. Several resident Taoist priests live here, and worshippers visit in an endless stream. The main halls include: the Jade Emperor Hall, the Goddess Yuanjun Hall, the Lüzu Hall, the Ten Kings of Hell Hall, the Medicine King Hall, the Fire God Hall, the Flower God Hall, the God of Wealth Hall, the Great Sage Hall, the Goddess of Mercy Hall, the Earth God Hall, and the Two Immortals Hall, totaling twelve halls. In addition, there are numerous auxiliary buildings such as Taoist living quarters, dining halls, and corridors, covering an area of more than 20 acres.

In recent years, through continuous restoration, Zhenze Temple now features densely arranged classical-style halls that are solemn, splendid, and well laid out. It is not only a renowned religious site in Hebei Province but also a great destination for sightseeing. On the first day of the third lunar month and the 24th day of the ninth lunar month each year, the temple is filled with incense and throngs of visitors, while the surrounding areas bustle with activity, vendors gather, and the place is bustling with people.

Zhenze Temple currently has six resident Taoist priests and 21 ordained disciples. Huang Xinyang, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Taoist Association and Abbot of Beijing’s White Cloud Temple, named it the “Number One Temple in Southern Hebei” on December 25, 1995.

Transportation Guide

Location: Zhaosishui Village, Shahe City, Xingtai, Hebei Province

Transit: Take bus No. 106 within Xingtai or Shahe City and get off at Zhaosishui Village Station. Walk east along Taihang Street to reach the temple.