City God Temple

Introducing Xi'an City God Temple
Xi'an City God Temple is one of the world's three big "City God Temples", enjoys the equal popularity with Beijing City God Temple and Nanjing City God Temple. Xi'an City God Temple is located in the east side of the Da Xuexi lane, West big street, Xi'an City. It was built in the twentieth year of Ming Hongwu (1387) in Xi'an east door Jiuyao Street, and was removed to today's site in Ming Xuande eight year (1432). In the first year of Qing Emperor Yongzheng (1723), the temple was destroyed in a big fire. The Sichuan-Shaanxi governor Nian Genyao rebuilt the temple in the same year. According to historical records, Xi'an City God Temple is of large-scale. All parts of the country can have a City God Temple like this. Xi'an City God Temple is a famous monastic temple of Xi'an and a gather place of merchants and skilled workmen.

Xi'an City God Temple Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Xian Du Chenghuangmiao 西安都城隍庙
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Taoism Study, Architecture
• Opening Hours: 09:00-16:30
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Address: No. 129 West Avenue, Lianhu District, Xian, Shaanxi Province

What to expect at Xi'an City God Temple

Xi'an City God Temple covers an area of about 11,024 square meters, construction area of about 4,466 square meters. It is divided into the temple courtyard and mount these two parts; at the mountain gate of the temple there is a big Memorial arch, on the arch is overlap Dougong, under the arch is a pair of iron male lions. Inside the mountain gate there is a hundred meters long black stone paved path leading to the second door, and between them is a Wenchang pavilion. Entering the second door is a delicate beautiful opera theater, which is opposite to the Big Hall in the north-south direction. Between them sits an imposing wooden arch, building eaves have beautifully painted picture and Yin Yang Tai Chi Bagua pattern. The Big hall miankuo seven and Jinshen five, in the middle worshiped the Xi'an City God Temple, on both sides worshiped with devils in animal forms and black and white impermanence, judge, ghost.

The original main building gate, the pavilion, dance floor, arch hall, tract homes, rooms, etc, mostly destroyed. Now the existing building is the hall reconstructed in Qing emperor Yong Zheng 1 year (1723), Dougong eaves, spectacular and magnificent, the roof is covered with glazed tiles, the former Yan sash windows and doors embossed with various patterns, meticulously carved, exquisitely designed. Inside the hall originally stood the statues of the City God,Judge, and Goblin. Outside the Temple Archway originally erected a pair of bronze lions, which were built in Ming Jiajing thirty-eight year (1559). In June 25, 2001, Xi'an City God Temple as the ancient building of Ming and Qing Dynasties was approved by the State Council as the fifth batch of national key cultural relic protection unit.

How to get to Xi'an City God Temple
• Take bus No. 4, 7, 15, 23, 31, 32, 43, 45, 201, 205, 215, 218, 221, 222, 251, 252, 300, 604, 611, 612, 618, 622, or Tourist Line 8 (610), and get off at Guangjijie Station.
• Take Metro Line 2 to Zhonglou Station (Exit C), and walk around 1.2km or take bus to the temple.

Additional travel advice on Xi'an City God Temple
• Do not speak loudly in the temple.
• Please dress appropriately in the temple.