Heard of a god with a child’s face? Here at Tanzian Temple we honor such a deity. It is a Taoist temple dedicated to Tanzian. The temple is managed by the Longgang District Bureau of Ethnic and Religious Affairs.
Tanzian Temple covers 1100 square meters. The building area is about 566 square meters. This temple is not just a place of worship. It is a cultural landmark in Shenzhen.
Taoism arose in the Han Dynasty. Early Taoist masters were active in the South. Tanzian Temple’s existence reflects Shenzhen’s cultural history. In the past, this area saw little Taoist influence. Old county records lack Taoist temples. The only Taoist site was the Beidi Temple in Xixiang, Hesi.
Shenzhen’s Tanzian Temples are mainly in the east. They are found in Longgang, Henggang, Pingshan, Kengzi, Kuichong, and Dapeng areas. Western Shenzhen has no Tanzian Temples. This distribution links to Huizhou Prefecture’s customs. These areas were once part of Huizhou Prefecture.
Tanzian Temple is dedicated to the Tanzian God. This god is popular in the East River area. He is a major folk deity in Huizhou. Folk legends say many historical figures became gods. They gained worship and temples. The most famous Tanzian Temple is in Huizhou. It is the Longfeng Ancestral Temple in Huidong County.
Tanzian’s real name was Tan De. He was born in the Yuan Dynasty. Tan De lived in Honghuayuan, Guishan County. Legend says he could control wind and rain. He could tame tigers and snakes at seven or eight years old. At 13, he became immortal at Kowloon Peak. People call him “Tanzian Immortal Saint”.
People built Tanzian Temple to honor his miracles. The Longfeng Ancestral Temple was built after his death. It is a sacred place. Initially, it combined Buddhist and Taoist elements. Later, Tanzian was honored by the imperial court. In 1856, he was titled “Zankan Tanzian Immortal Saint”. Tanzian’s fame grew and spread.
The temple has traditional temple fairs every four years. In 2009, the Kowloon Peak Tanzian Temple fair was listed as a Guangdong intangible cultural heritage. The Tanzian Temple fairs include religious processions.
Cantonese people migrated to Longgang during the Kangxi period. They hoped Tanzian God would bring good weather. They wished for rich harvests and prosperity. There is a saying about Tanzian’s journey. After becoming immortal, he traveled to Shenzhen. He went from Kowloon Peak to Hong Kong. People built temples along his route. They were grateful for his blessings.
The eighth day of the fourth lunar month is Tanzian’s birthday. Celebrations in Shenzhen resemble those for the Goddess of Heaven. Today, Tanzian Temple stands as a testament. It shows faith in a child saint. It also shows Shenzhen’s folk culture.
So take a moment. Feel the history around you here at Tanzian Temple. Consider the journey of Tanzian and the hopes of the people. This temple is more than just a building. It is a story etched in stone and spirit.