Shanghai Town God's Temple, Shanghai (must see)

Traditionally, any notable Chinese city with a strong sense of history has a temple dedicated to its patron deity in the old quarter. The Ming-era Taoist temple near Yu Garden serves this purpose for Shanghai and is worth a visit if you are in the area, especially given the scarcity of old-style buildings in this part of the city.

Until 1950, this was the center of what is sometimes referred to as “popular Taoism,” which is quite different from the philosophical Taoism associated with the Tao Te Ching and Lao Tzu. However, the new Communist government was unsympathetic to all forms of Taoism and promptly removed from the temple all statues considered to promote religious superstition.

Apparently, that reform was still not enough, and during the Cultural Revolution the temple was converted entirely to secular use, with the main hall housing a jewelry shop for many years afterward. With the return of traditional Chinese culture to political respectability, the temple was eventually returned to Taoist priests and reconsecrated in 2006.

Inside the temple, pass through the medium-sized main courtyard in front of the main gate to reach a series of halls. These include Huo Guang Hall on the north side, which contains a large statue of Huo Guang, the chief among Shanghai’s three City Gods. Going around the back of the hall, you will find a short corridor leading to the hall of Qin Yubo, Shanghai’s second major deity. Nearby are additional small halls dedicated to figures such as the Gods of Wealth, Literature, and Knowledge. Several other deities can be seen in the halls surrounding the main courtyard.

The area outside the temple is packed with souvenir shops selling everything from postcards and keychains to handicrafts and clothing.