Tongliang Anju Chenghuang Temple

　　The Chenghuang Temple in Tongliang’s Anju Ancient Town was originally constructed in the 17th year of the Ming Chenghua era (1481), renovated in the 47th year of the Wanli era (1619) by Magistrate Tang Yunsheng, burned down in the late Ming period, and then rebuilt in the 10th year of the Qing Qianlong era (1745) through funds raised by Monk Yichuan. It was further restored in the 6th year of the Daoguang era (1826) under the leadership of Inspection Officer Shen Qing’an and local contributors.

　　The Anju Chenghuang Temple Taoist complex is built against a mountain in a “three-winged” structure, featuring a central unified eave and elaborately carved flying eaves on both sides, making it highly exquisite. The main hall enshrines the Chenghuang (City God), who holds the rank of a county-level city god and is honored as “Xianyou Bo” (Illustrious Protector Lord), accompanied by deities such as the Judge, various officials, and Generals Fan and Xie. The left hall of the main Chenghuang shrine houses the God of Wealth (Zhao Gongming), the God of Literature (Wenchang Dijun), and the Medicine King (Sun Simiao). The right hall is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Cihang Zhenren), the Birth-Giving Goddess (Zhusheng Niangniang, also known as the “Child-Giving Goddess”), and the Queen Mother of the West. A few steps up from the right hall leads to the recently restored and rebuilt Zhenwu Hall, which enshrines the Great Emperor Zhenwu. In front of the Zhenwu Hall is the yet-to-be-restored Jade Emperor Pavilion. From here, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Anju Ancient Town.

　　The Anju Chenghuang Temple Taoist complex is an official Taoist temple. Approved in 2012 by the Tongliang County Government’s Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau, it officially opened as a legitimate site for religious activities and belongs to the Quanzhen Longmen Sect of Taoism. Renowned Taoist leader and President of the China Taoist Association, Ren Farong (member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Vice Chairman of its Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee), personally inscribed the temple’s plaque. On January 8, 2015, the Tongliang District Taoist Association was officially established, with its office located within the Anju Chenghuang Temple Taoist complex.

　　Taoism has a long and profound history in Anju Ancient Town. Among the town’s famous “Nine Palaces and Eighteen Temples,” the “Nine Palaces”—including Wanshou Palace, Xuantian Palace, Zitong Palace, Wenchang Palace, Diwang Palace, Tianhou Palace, Nanhua Palace, and the Upper and Lower Ziyun Palaces—and the “Eighteen Temples”—such as the Chenghuang Temple, Chuanzhu Temple, Dongyue Temple, Huoshen Temple, Yaowang Temple, Longwang Temple, Huanhou Temple, Yuwang Temple, Kuige Temple, and the Upper and Lower Wangye Temples—were all once sites dedicated to worshiping Taoist deities and patriarchs. Taoism, this traditional Chinese religion, has always been deeply integrated into the lives of the town’s residents and continues to serve them today. For example, at the Chenghuang Temple, hundreds of worshippers come to burn incense and share vegetarian meals on the first and fifteenth of each month. During the annual birthday celebration of the City God in May, devotees from surrounding villages flock to the temple fair. In 2012, the grand “City God Procession” event was held for the first time and has since become a traditional folk activity in Anju Ancient Town, taking place annually on the tenth day of the fifth lunar month.