Shanghai Chenghuang Temple is located in the heart of Shanghai, in the tourist area of Chenghuang Temple, also known as the Old City God Temple, which is a renowned Taoist temple in Shanghai. Most visitors to the Chenghuang Temple tourist area come for the famous snacks and Yu Garden, but they may not know that to the south of Yu Garden lies a tranquil Taoist temple amidst the hustle and bustle, a historical place of worship with a rich history, where one can experience the local religious culture.
Shanghai Chenghuang Temple was originally built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1403-1424), predating Yu Garden, but suffered severe damage during the Cultural Revolution. It was later restored to its original appearance. The temple now has nine halls including the Main Hall, Jia Zi Hall, God of Wealth Hall, Cihang Hall, and City God Hall. The Main Hall’s front door hangs a plaque inscribed with ‘Chenghuang Temple’, inside which is enshrined the statue of Jinshan God, General Huo Guang, a nobleman from the Han Dynasty, with the Civil Judge on the left and the Martial Judge on the right, followed by the Day Patrol and Night Inspection, and below them are the eight black-robed officials.
Yuan Chen Hall, also known as the Hall of the Sixty JiaZi, enshrines the corresponding Tai Sui gods for each of the sixty JiaZi. Devotees worship their birth-year Tai Sui in this hall, praying for safety and good fortune throughout the year. Cihang Hall enshrines the Eye Mother, Cihang Bodhisattva, and the Empress of Heaven; the God of Wealth Hall enshrines the God of Wealth, Jin Bao Xian Guan, Li Shi Xian Guan, and Na Zhen Xian Guan; Wen Chang Hall enshrines Wen Chang Di Jun, with two attendant boys known as Tian Long and Di Ya.
At the back of the temple, the City God Hall has a central statue of the red-faced wooden statue of the City God of Shanghai County, sitting upright. The hall is decorated to resemble a Ming Dynasty county government hall, with a solemn atmosphere. To the east of the City God Hall is the Parents Hall, which enshrines the parents of the City God of Shanghai County; to the west is the Empress Hall, which enshrines the wife of the City God, Lady Chu. The temple is open all year from 08:30 to 16:30, and on the lunar first and fifteenth days, it opens from 6:00 to 16:30. Children policy: Each adult with a valid ticket can bring one child under 6 years old (including 6 years old) or under 1.3 meters in height (including 1.3 meters) for free (not for groups).
