Qiji Temple

Qiji Temple

Qiji Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province.

Qiji Temple is located west of Qizhuang Village in Dutang Township, approximately 7.5 kilometers from Dingtao County. Covering an area of 3,334 square meters, it is a county-level key cultural relics protection unit. During the Chu-Han contention, after Liu Bang suffered a defeat in the Battle of Pengcheng (present-day Xuzhou), he fled to Dingtao and spent the night at Qijia Stockade (now east of Qiji Temple), where he married Qi Ji. Qi Ji became pregnant and later gave birth to Liu Ruyi. In 202 BC (the fifth year of Emperor Gaozu of Han), Liu Bang ascended the throne at Guanwei Mound, initially establishing Luoyang as the capital before later moving it to Chang’an. He brought Qi Ji and their son Liu Ruyi to the palace, granting Liu Ruyi the title of Prince of Zhao. In 195 BC (the twelfth year of Emperor Gaozu of Han), Liu Bang died, and Empress Lü seized power. She poisoned Prince Liu Ruyi and had Qi Ji’s limbs cut off, confining her to a latrine and naming her “Human Pig.” After Qi Ji was killed, the Qi family was raided, and members of the Qi clan fled to Qizhuang Village to live in seclusion, even changing their surname to Qi. In 179 BC (the first year of Emperor Wen of Han), Emperor Wen Liu Heng ascended the throne and had a temple built here, along with Buddhist halls, to commemorate Qi Ji—thus it came to be called “Qiji Temple.” The temple originally had three main halls and auxiliary rooms. Towering ancient trees filled the grounds, and at dusk, crows would return to their nests, circling and crying around the temple, seemingly mourning Qi Ji. This gave rise to the scenic sight known as “Evening Crows at Qigu,” one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Dingtao.

Qi Ji (died 194 BC), also known as Lady Qi, was a native of Dingtao (present-day Dingtao, Shandong) from the late Qin Dynasty and was the mother of Liu Ruyi, the Prince of Zhao, born to Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang. Deeply favored by Liu Bang, Qi Ji grew ambitious due to this favoritism. She often threw tantrums and whispered in Liu Bang’s ear, urging him to depose the crown prince and make her son the heir, attempting to seize the succession from Empress Lü. She also repeatedly plotted against Emperor Hui of Han and Princess Luyuan, trying to have them killed. Empress Lü deeply hated Qi Ji and sought every opportunity to take revenge. She imprisoned Qi Ji in the Hidden Palace and subjected her to the punishment of shaving her head and shackling her... More details about Qi Ji++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units