Shanghai City God Temple (Old City God Temple Tourist Area)

　　Shanghai’s renowned landmark and historic temple — the City God Temple — is located on Fangbang Middle Road, west of Anren Street. Originally built as the Jinshan God Temple, it was dedicated to Han Dynasty's Marquis of Bolu, Huo Guang (also known as the Huo Guang Shrine). Covering an area of approximately 25,000 square meters, Shanghai has had a City God Temple since the Song Dynasty. The original site was on present-day Yongjia Road, called Danjing Temple, also referred to as the Huating County City God’s Travelling Hall. At that time, Shanghai was just a town under Huating County, so Danjing Temple actually served as the City God Temple for Huating County. In the 28th year of Yuan Dynasty (1291), when Shanghai was officially established as a county, the Jinshan God Temple was converted into the City God Temple. It wasn't until the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1403–1424) that Shanghai’s City God Temple as we know it began to take shape. In the 48th year of the Qing Kangxi reign (1710), local residents raised funds to build Dongyuan (East Garden) on the left side of the temple, making it a scenic spot within the city. By the mid-Qianlong period, the Pan family’s Yu Garden was sold to the City God Temple and turned into Xiyuan (West Garden), which was then renovated. As merchants gathered and various trades flourished, the City God Temple became a well-known market for small commodities, local specialties, and unique goods.

　　In July of the 13th year of the Republic of China (1924), a fire broke out and destroyed the main hall and other structures. In November of the same year, another fire engulfed the east wing, damaging nearby buildings. Due to the extensive damage and the high cost of reconstruction, prominent figures such as Huang Jinrong and Du Yuesheng initiated fundraising efforts, forming a board of directors to rebuild the temple. The reconstructed City God Temple featured reinforced concrete structures for the main and second halls, but retained the appearance of a traditional ancient temple — with hip-and-gable roofs, soaring upturned eaves, colorful beams and painted rafters. Stories from the Three Kingdoms were depicted on the wooden brackets. Qin Xitian wrote: “The hall is forty-eight feet high and sixty-three and one-third feet deep, built with cement materials, without using a single brick or piece of wood. Yet the colorful beams, painted rafters, green tiles, and red eaves still follow the ceremonial design of ancient temples...”

　　Along the central axis, south of Fangbang Middle Road, there is a screen wall and flagpoles. In front of the temple is a stone-pillared memorial archway, built in the 14th year of the Ming Jiajing reign (1543), with the inscription “Guardian of the Coastal Region” written by a young child from Yongjia. Inside is a stage. The courtyard in front of the main hall originally had a stele pavilion with coiled-dragon stone pillars. The stele was engraved by County Magistrate Li Wen during the Ming Tianshun era (1457–1464). There was also a bronze incense burner, all of which were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. In 1994, the temple resumed religious activities.

　　Nearby Attractions: In addition to the Taoist Old City God Temple, the Yu Garden area is also home to the Buddhist Chenxiang Pavilion, the Islamic Xiaotaoyuan Mosque, the Taoist Dajing Guan Di Temple, and the Catholic Joseph’s Church.

　　Address: No. 1 Yicheng Road, Huangpu District

　　Transportation: Buses 11, 42, 64, 66, 126, and 926 can get you there.

　　Address: No. 249 Fangbang Middle Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai

　　Type: Historical Site / Taoist Temple

　　Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

　　Phone: 021-63284494

　　Official Website: http://www.shchm.org/

　　Opening Hours:

　　8:30 AM – 4:30 PM