Question: Did you know that Shanghai has many City God Temples? Among them is the Zhuanghang Town Chenghuang Temple. It is also known as the Nanqiao Town Chenghuang Temple.
The Zhuanghang Town Chenghuang Temple stands in Fengxian District. It is one of ten City God Temples in Shanghai. These temples were in almost every district. Now only ten remain.
The Chenghuang Temple concept comes from Taoism. City Gods are Taoist deities.
The Zhuanghang Town Chenghuang Temple honors Li Daiwen. He was an official during the late Ming Dynasty. Li Daiwen died defending Songjiang Prefecture against Qing forces. People revered him as a City God.
The Zhuanghang Town Chenghuang Temple in Shanghai was established in the early Qing Dynasty. It commemorates Li Daiwen a hero who fought against the Qing Dynasty.
The temple marks the elevation of Shanghai to municipal status. It is a site to venerate three Chinese figures honored as city gods. Some locals call it the Old City God Temple. This is in reference to a later New City God Temple. It no longer exists.
Regardless of size many walled cities in ancient China had such temples. They dedicated them to one or more immortal or god. These were spirits or protectors of the city.
The City God Temple in Shanghai originated as the Jinshan God Temple. It was dedicated to the spirit of Jinshan. Jinshan is Gold Mountain. It is an island off the coast of Shanghai. It became a City God Temple in 1403 during the Yongle Emperor era.
People from the old city and nearby areas visited the temple. They prayed for good fortune and peace. The temple was largest in the Daoguang era. Its popularity led to many businesses nearby. The surrounding streets became a busy marketplace.
During the Cultural Revolution the temple closed. It was used for other purposes. For years the main hall was a jewelry shop.
In 1951 the Board of Trustees dissolved. The temple went to the Shanghai Taoist Association. It became a Taoist center. The institution removed statues of folk underworld figures. One such figure was Yama the judge of the dead. They emphasized Taoist spirituality instead.
In 1994 the temple was restored as a temple. Resident Taoist priests returned. The Temple and nearby streets are now a pedestrian zone. It is dedicated to restaurants and retail.
A complete restoration of the City God Temple took place between 2005 and 2006. In October 2006 Taoist clergymen reopened and reconsecrated it.
The temple is dedicated to three city gods. Huo Guang was a famous Han dynasty chancellor. Qin Yubo lived in Shanghai and served in the late Yuan dynasty civil service. Chen Huacheng was a Qing dynasty general. He defended Shanghai during the First Opium War.
During the Sino-Japanese War worshippers from concessions could not reach the old temple. Local merchants built a new temple near Yan’an Road and Jinling Road. This was the New City God Temple. After World War II the New City God Temple declined. Worshippers returned to the Old City God Temple. The new temple and markets were demolished in 1972. The New City God Temple name remains. It refers to the locality around the site.
The Zhuanghang Town Chenghuang Temple provides a glimpse into Shanghai’s religious past. It connects us to the traditions that shaped this vibrant city.