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Brief information on Old City God s Temple

Brief information on Old City God s Temple

Write: Emma [2011-05-23]
Located in the bustling City God s Temple Tourist Area, Shanghai Old City God s Temple is one of the most significant Taoist monuments in the Shanghai region, boasting a long history of approximately 600 years. Occupying an area of 1,000 square meters, the temple consists of six halls: Huoguang Hall, Jiazi Hall, Plutus Hall, Cihang Hall, City God Hall and Queen Hall.
Three Bodhisattvas are worshipped here in the Old City God s Temple, and they are Qin Yubo, Huo Guang and Chen Huacheng. According to records, Qin Yubo lived in Shanghai, working in public service in the late Yuan Dynasty. And Huo Guang was a famous officer of the Han Dynasty for his role in deposing one young emperor and replacing him with another. Chen Huacheng was a Qing Dynasty general who was responsible for the defense of Shanghai during the First Opium War. And then he was killed in battle against the British. It was said that City God is the patron saint of the city. Therefore, almost every day, residents of the old city- as well as nearby areas- visited the temple to pray for good fortune and peace.
Nowadays, the Old City God s Temple and the enclosed Yuyuan Garden have become modern large-scale shopping attractions with strong traditional colors. There is a glittering array of goods, ranging from glittering jewelry in swanky boutiques, to local snacks. Here you may taste featured dim sum at Lubolang Restaurant, tasty steamed bread at Songyuelou Restaurant, the delicious eight treasures meal at Songyunlou Restaurant, as well as the flavoursome local snacks.