Dongdi Temple

Dongdi Temple

Dongdi Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Dongdi Temple

Dongdi Temple is situated in Dongdi Village, Xidi Town, about twenty kilometers northeast of Qitai County. It was constructed in the 55th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1790), when the ancient Dongdi River flowed through the area. Four ancient temples, all facing south, were built adjacent to one another and enclosed by earthen walls. Lush ancient trees filled the courtyards, contributing to a dignified and solemn atmosphere. From east to west, they are successively the City God Temple, Guan Yu Temple, Goddess Temple, and Sacred Martial Palace. During the Jiaqing and Daoguang reigns, Dongdi Temple was expanded with the addition of the Martial Saint Palace, Sage Hall, and theater stage. In the fourth year of the Tongzhi reign (1865), due to the rebellion led by Bai Yanhu, the temples were destroyed in the warfare, leaving only the Guan Yu Temple intact. In the 18th year of the Guangxu reign (1892), local residents raised funds to renovate the Goddess Temple, City God Temple, and others.

Among the four temples, the City God Temple is the oldest, built in the 55th year of Qianlong (Gengyin year, 1790), and has a history of over two hundred years. It houses clay sculptures and large murals that promote virtuous behavior. The Goddess Temple is located to the west of the Guan Yu Temple, featuring ornate painted beams and an imposing aura. Colorful wooden window lattices divide the main hall from the outer hall. The outer hall’s gable walls on both sides are adorned with colorful murals—one side depicts the “Strict Father Teaching His Son,” and the other shows the “Five Sons Competing for First Place.” The main hall is also exquisitely decorated, with clay rockeries, colored carvings, pavilions, towers, and celestial paintings. The Guan Yu Temple is situated between the other two, with two carved brick walls on the outer hall—on the left, a coiling dragon in flight, and on the right, a red phoenix standing alone. The carvings are finely detailed, the knife work sharp, and the figures seem almost alive. The main hall enshrines clay statues of Guan Yu, Guan Ping, and Zhou Cang. The statue of Guan Yu is tall and majestic, and the inner hall features vivid large murals depicting scenes from Guan Yu’s life.

Dongdi Temple was designated as a key cultural relic protection unit by Qitai County in 1971 and by Changji Prefecture in 1994.

Currently, Qitai County is actively working on the tourism development of Dongdi Temple, adopting methods such as attracting investment and incorporating private capital to plan and develop the site as a tourist destination.