City God Temple of Shanghai

Background

The City God Temple of Shanghai is in the old town of Huangpu District, at 249 Fangbang Middle Road, inside the Yuyuan Bazaar pedestrian area. It is the Taoist city god temple of old Shanghai, with several halls including the City God Hall, and it honours three city gods at once, Huo Guang, Qin Yubo and Chen Huacheng, which is fairly unusual. Right outside is the City God Temple bazaar: temple and market live side by side, with incense, street noise and time-honoured snacks on the same lane. The temple began as the Jinshan God Temple, dedicated to the spirit of Gold Mountain, and became a city god temple in 1403, in the Yongle era of the Ming dynasty; it reached its greatest extent in the Daoguang era of the Qing, and the temple market flourished with it. In 1951 the temple was handed to the Shanghai Taoist Association and became a Taoist centre; during the Cultural Revolution it was closed, and for many years its main hall housed a jewellery shop. Religious activity resumed in 1994 with resident Taoist priests, and after a full restoration in 2005–2006 it reopened in October 2006.

Local customs

• Visit the halls in turn, where you will often see local people coming to make wishes
• then stroll the City God Temple bazaar, try old-town snacks such as Nanxiang xiaolongbao and crab-shell pastries, and browse long-established tea, silk and craft shops. Temple fair events cluster around Lunar New Year, the best time to feel the old town's festive spirit.

Travel tips

• The temple, the surrounding bazaar and the garden are managed separately and charge separate admission, subject to official information. Crowds are huge on holidays and during temple fairs, so watch your belongings and children
• there are many snack shops, so check prices and portions before ordering.
• Take Metro Line 10 or 14 to Yuyuan Garden Station and walk from the exit
• several bus routes stop around Fangbang Middle Road and Fuyou Road, details subject to official information. You can visit year-round
• spring and autumn are best for strolling the market
• the Lunar New Year fair is the liveliest and most crowded
• in summer guard against the heat, and the stone paving is slippery when wet.