Reopened in 1994 after a period of closure, the City God Temple of Shanghai stands as a testament to Shanghai’s rich history. This folk temple is located in the old city. It commemorates Shanghai’s elevation to municipal status. The temple honors three Chinese figures as the city gods.
The City God Temple is also known by locals as the Old City God Temple. This distinguishes it from a New City God Temple that no longer exists. Chenghuangmiao is the name of the commercial district near the temple. This area is also known as Yu Garden.
Let’s delve into the history of this iconic temple. City God Temples were common in ancient China. They were dedicated to immortals or gods who protected the city. The City God Temple of Shanghai began as the Jinshan God Temple. It honored the spirit of Jinshan or Gold Mountain, an island off Shanghai’s coast. In 1403, during the Yongle Emperor era, it was converted into a City God Temple.
Residents from the old city and nearby areas visited the temple. They prayed for good fortune and peace. The temple reached its largest size in the Daoguang era. Its popularity spurred the growth of businesses. The surrounding streets transformed into a bustling marketplace.
During the Cultural Revolution, the temple was closed. It was repurposed for other uses. The main hall served as a jewelry shop for many years. In 1951, the Board of Trustees was dissolved. The temple was handed over to the Shanghai Taoist Association. It became a Taoist center. Statues of folk underworld figures were removed. The focus shifted to Taoist spirituality.
In 1994, the temple returned to its original use. Taoist priests once again resided here. The Temple and its surrounding streets are now a pedestrian zone. It is filled with restaurants and retail shops. A complete restoration occurred between 2005 and 2006. In October 2006, the temple was reopened and reconsecrated.
The City God Temple of Shanghai is dedicated to three city gods. The first is Huo Guang. He was a Han dynasty chancellor. He is remembered for deposing one emperor and replacing him with another. Huo Guang was the original City God for Shanghai County from the Yuan dynasty.
The second is Qin Yubo. He lived in Shanghai. He served in the late Yuan dynasty civil service. He resisted serving at court. He eventually relented. He served as chief Imperial examiner. After his death, he was anointed City God of Shanghai.
The third is Chen Huacheng. He was a Qing dynasty general. He defended Shanghai during the First Opium War. He vowed to defend the Yangtze to the death. He was killed in battle.
During the Sino-Japanese War, the old city was occupied by the Japanese. Worshippers from the foreign concessions were cut off from the temple. Local merchants built a New City God Temple near Yan’an Road and Jinling Road. 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.
Today, the City God Temple is more than just a historical site. It is a cultural symbol. It embodies Shanghai’s past and present. A saying goes that one cannot boast of visiting Shanghai without seeing the City God Temple. It is a must-see destination for anyone seeking to experience the heart of Shanghai.