Chenghuang Temple, Hangzhou

Chenghuang Temple is a Taoist site dedicated to the City God, believed to protect the local community and daily life. The temple is often linked to the Southern Song period (1127–1279), when it became important locally. Records show the main buildings were built in 1371, during the early Ming dynasty. Although rebuilt over time, it has remained both a religious site and a public space.

The layout is traditional, with wooden halls placed along a central line. Inside, visitors find incense burners, offering tables, and statues of Taoist deities. Decoration is simple, using painted beams, carved wood, red lanterns, and calligraphy plaques. On normal days, the temple feels calm, while during festivals it becomes more active as more people come to burn incense and make offerings.

The main temple buildings sit below Chenghuang Pavilion on Wushan Hill and are used daily by locals and visitors. People stop to pray, burn incense, or rest. The pavilion above was rebuilt in the 1990s, stands 41.6 meters tall, and follows a traditional style, with murals and stone reliefs showing local history and legends such as the Legend of the White Snake. Around the temple, small shops and food stalls sell tea, snacks, incense, and souvenirs, keeping the area active during the day.