Hong Sheng Ancient Temple in Chatang Village

Hong Sheng Ancient Temple in Chatang Village

Hong Sheng Ancient Temple in Chatang Village is a protected cultural heritage site of Guangzhou City.

Hong Sheng Ancient Temple in Chatang Village is located in Nanshe, Chatang Village, Tanbu Town, Huadu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. Built in the 21st year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty (1816), it was renovated in the 28th year of the Guangxu reign (1902) and again in 2003.

The Hong Sheng Ancient Temple in Chatang is the largest in scale and foremost in architectural artistry and cultural depth in Huadu. All the timber used in the temple is from kwangtung wood, and two dragon pillars stand at its entrance. One of the most fascinating sights in the ancient village is the so-called “Wall Street”—“Chizheng Li,” also known as the “Alley of the Wealthy.” Chizheng Li is famed as the “alley of the rich,” featuring exquisitely designed houses all built in a unified style of three bays and two corridors, all made of blue bricks, reminiscent of the grand mansions of Xiguan in Guangzhou. The alley entrance features a “Dizhi Yan Song Gate,” while the main hall has a “tanglong” door. The liveliest event in the village is the annual “Firecracker Snatching Festival” held on the morning of the 16th day of the first lunar month at 8:00 AM. Lion dance troupes from various clans enter one after another, each bringing a rooster and seasonal fruits, first paying homage at the Hong Sheng Ancient Temple, then performing martial arts on the open ground in front of the temple. Various weapons, boxing styles, and routines are displayed, leaving spectators dazzled.

Hong Shing is the God of the South Sea (Chatang Village was historically part of Nanhai). It is said that Hong Shing was indeed a real person in history—his surname was Hong and his given name Xi, a man from the Tang Dynasty who once served as Prefect of Guangli. He was well-versed in astronomy and geography, capable of accurately predicting weather and storms (almost as miraculously wise as Zhuge Liang), and he saved the people of the South Sea region from disasters many times. He eventually passed away due to overwork (much like an ancient version of Jiao Yulu). The people, grateful for his benevolence, petitioned the imperial court to recognize his achievements, and the emperor specially conferred upon him the title “Great King Hong Shing of Guangli in the South Sea.” Huadu has nearly 20 Hong Sheng Ancient Temples of varying sizes, but the one in Chatang Village is considered first-class in terms of scale, architectural artistry, and cultural richness. There is a local saying in Huadu: “Chatang Temple, Langtou Bridge,” and the Chatang Temple referred to here is the Hong Sheng Ancient Temple.

The ancient temple faces west and is built in an east-west orientation, featuring water-style fireproof gables, blue brick stone bases, and floors paved with red clay bricks. The Hong Sheng Ancient Temple showcases relief-carved dragon pillars and ceramic roof ornaments, and all its wooden components are made from kwangtung wood. The mountain gate is three bays wide and two bays deep, totaling thirteen frames, with a triple-step front porch. The front granite columns are carved with coiled dragons and cloud motifs.

The two front granite columns are adorned with relief carvings of dragons and clouds, and their bases are sculpted with human figures on all four sides. The rear eaves columns are inscribed with a couplet: “Virtue established for millennia, following the sea southward we sing praises of Guangli, as vast as heaven; Grace shining to the four corners, after settling here, we feel the divine response, revering the King throughout the ages.”

The beams of the front porch are carved with theatrical figures, pine trees, flowers, birds, and motifs such as “Fortune and Prosperity.” The bracket arms feature makara supports, and the wood carvings are uniquely shaped and exquisitely crafted. The stone lintel is inscribed in relief with “Hong Sheng Ancient Temple.” The façade is built with polished blue brick walls and nine stone steps. The worship pavilion has an eight-frame rolled shed roof, forming a “hooked connection” with the mountain gate and the rear hall. The courtyard is paved with granite slabs. The rear hall is three bays wide and three bays deep, totaling thirteen frames, with a triple-step front porch. Four hardwood king posts bear the weight. The beam frame is decorated with carved floral patterns, showing fine craftsmanship. In front of the rear hall are two corridors, each with a six-frame rolled shed roof.

This structure serves as physical material for studying the architectural form of ancient temples and the beliefs of villagers. In September 2002, it was listed as a registered cultural heritage protection unit by the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government. The overall condition remains good, with no signs of leakage, intact floor tiles, and largely preserved stone and wood carvings. Only during the 2003 renovation were the walls coated with cement plaster and the brick lines redrawn. The mountain gate’s ceramic sculptures and glazed tile ridges were remade, and the roof was covered with green glazed tiles.

The ancient temple bears seven couplets that integrate literature and calligraphy. Their content all sings the praises of Hong Sheng’s merits, extols his virtues, and expresses gratitude. They leave readers with much to ponder. Mountain Gate Couplet:

The southern land basks in the grace of Hong Shing, its blessings flowing to Huayi

The maritime realm is touched by the saint’s virtue, his kindness showering upon Chatang

This couplet uses the crane-top style, embedding “Nanhai” and “Hong Sheng” in the two lines respectively, with a gracefully flowing artistic conception.

Chatang Village: The Chatang Village Committee is located in the southern part of Tanbu Town urban area, covering an area of approximately 3.13 square kilometers. It administers three natural villages—Chatang, Xincun, and Henghu—and comprises 11 villager groups, with a total population of over 1,930. Chatang Village’s “Poetry School Street” was built during the Qing Dynasty. Along a 336-meter-long pond, there are five ancestral halls, nine study halls, four private schools, and one Hong Sheng Ancient Temple, making it a provincial second batch ancient village. The Chatang Village Committee is 15 kilometers from Xinhua urban area and 2 kilometers from Tanbu urban area. The village is distributed along both sides of the ChanTan Highway, with the Tanbu Avenue running through the entire village area. The entrance to the West Second Ring Expressway is located... Detailed information about Chatang Village++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Guangzhou Cultural Heritage Protection Units