[2025 Jinzhong Attraction] Travel Guide for Yuci City God Temple (Updated Apr)

Yuci City God Temple is located in Yuci District, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province. It is a historic City God Temple built during the Hongwu period of the Ming dynasty. It is one of the best-preserved temple buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties in Shanxi Province. The City God Temple is not only a symbol of ancient city beliefs and folk culture, but also a cultural heritage site with significant historical, architectural, and artistic value. The temple was built during the Hongwu period of the Ming dynasty and underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties, especially during the Kangxi and Qianlong periods of the Qing dynasty, which expanded its scale. After experiencing wars and social changes, the City God Temple was once abandoned, but was later listed as a protected cultural relic and has been restored in recent years. The City God Temple retains an ancient stage used for theatrical performances during temple fairs, attracting local people to watch. This is an important part of the City God Temple during the Ming and Qing dynasties, reflecting the combination of folk beliefs and opera culture. The City God Temple is an important place for traditional Chinese beliefs. The City God is regarded as the guardian deity of the city, in charge of yin and yang, rewarding good and punishing evil. People pray for blessings and protection by burning incense and making wishes in the temple, hoping for the City God's protection. The murals and sculptures in the temple often depict underworld trials, reminding people to follow moral principles. During temple fairs, opera performances and sacrificial ceremonies are held, creating a lively atmosphere. Yuci City God Temple is not only a religious building, but also carries profound historical culture and folk beliefs. Whether it is architectural art, historical value, or folk activities, it is worth visiting.

The ancient cities of Shanxi are numerous Datong, Pingyao, Xinzhou, Jiexiu, Yuncheng The only one known as the 'Ghost City' is Yuci Old Town... Looking at the navigation map, Yuci seems to be closer to Taiyuan, no wonder the people of Shanxi call Yuci the southern gate of Taiyuan. The old city was built on the site of the old Han City during the Sui Dynasty's Kaihuang era. It has the flavor of Pingyao, but today's Yuci Old Town, most of the buildings are renovated to look old. To call it an old town is still appropriate, at least it doesn't claim to be an ancient city... 📸Highlights ✅ Yuci City God Temple: One of the world's 100 most exquisite ancient buildings ✅ Yuci County Government Office: The number one government office in Sanjin ✅ Yuci Confucian Temple: The Lingxing Gate feels like it's originally from the Song Dynasty ✅ Qingxu Pavilion: The Bagua (Eight Trigrams) caisson ceiling is beautiful Yuci Old Town is not big, just one street across and one street down. The City God Temple is worth a look, the rest you can probably just glance at from the outside. On a big weekend, there are hardly any tourists in the old town, shops are closed, there's nothing to eat or drink, weeds are growing on the ground, and there are many 'large entertainment facilities' in front of the City God Temple, which seem out of place. Is this the so-called blend of ancient and modern? And they dare to charge 78 yuan for admission? I've been to Xinzhou Ancient City, and in terms of ancient architecture, it's not as good as Yuci, but in terms of popularity, the free Xinzhou Ancient City is bustling with visitors... That's what you call a living old town. Yuci was once called Fengcheng I just hope it doesn't become the 'young phoenix' in the story of 'Sleeping Dragon and Young Phoenix'‼️

🌸 The first in the world... City God Temple, Yuci. Although there are many things that claim to be the first in the world, this City God Temple is somewhat true to its name: The main building ~ Xuanjian Tower was selected by the World Historic and Cultural Site Protection Foundation as one of the '100 most exquisite ancient buildings in the world'. 🌸 The beams and ridges of the house are really lively!