Dongdi Temple

　　Dongdi Temple is located in Dongdi Village, Xidi Town, about twenty kilometers northeast of Qitai County. It was built in the 55th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1790). In ancient times, the Dongdi River flowed through the site. Four ancient temples were built facing south and aligned from north to south, connected side by side, surrounded by an earthen wall. The temple complex was filled with ancient trees, giving off a solemn and dignified atmosphere. From east to west, the temples are the City God Temple, Guan Yu Temple, Goddess Temple, and Holy 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 4th year of the Tongzhi reign (1865), due to the rebellion led by Bai Yanhu, the temples were destroyed in the war, with only the Guan Yu Temple surviving. In the 18th year of the Guangxu reign (1892), local residents raised funds to rebuild 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), which is 1790 AD, and has a history of over two hundred years. The temple houses clay sculptures and large murals that promote virtue and kindness. The Goddess Temple is located to the west of the Guan Yu Temple. It features colorful beams and painted rafters, giving it an extraordinary presence. Painted wooden window lattices divide the main hall from the outer hall. The gable walls on both sides of the outer hall are adorned with colorful murals—one side depicts the scene “A Strict Father Teaching His Son,” while the other shows “Five Sons Competing for the Laurel.” The main hall is also exquisitely decorated, featuring clay rockeries with colorful carvings, pavilions, towers, and immortal figures. The Guan Yu Temple is situated between the other two temples. The outer hall has two carved brick walls: the left one features dragons soaring through the clouds, and the right one shows a red phoenix standing alone. The carvings are intricate, the knife work precise, and the figures appear almost alive. The main hall houses clay sculptures of Guan Yu, Guan Ping, and Zhou Cang. The statue of Guan Yu is tall and majestic, and the inner hall is flanked by vivid large murals depicting scenes from Guan Yu’s life.

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

　　Currently, Qitai County is focusing on the tourism development of Dongdi Temple. Efforts are being made to attract investment and incorporate private capital to plan and develop the site for tourism purposes.