City God Temple Bazaar 

Introduction 

Originally known as the Jinshan Temple, the Yu Garden Market and locally known as Chenghuangmiao, the City God Temple is a Taoist temple located at the Middle of Fangbang Road and is connected to the Yu Garden in the south near the bustling Yuyuan Market. It was constructed during the Ming Dynasty between 1402 and 1624 during the reign of Emperor Yongle to protect the safety of the people in the city where the gods are referred to as patron Taoism saints.

The street where the temple is located now covers an area of 2000 square kilometers and has developed over time and expanded to accommodate shopping centers, open-air stalls and snack streets stretching from Anren Street towards the east, Old Xiaochang Road on the west side and Fuyou Road in the north. Presently, the temple includes nine palaces Sixty-year Cycle Palace, Parents Palace, City God Palace, Empress Palace, God of Fortune Palace, Huo Guang Palace, Cihang Palace, Wenchang Palace and Guansheng Palace. The temples halls have immortal statues that receive endless prayers and are perceived to be in charge of different aspects of life. There are also three god towns like the Qin Yubo, Huo Guang and Chen Huacheng. Qin Yubo was constructed to resemble the emperor's throne room because his mum wished to see it but when the emperor discovered his intentions, Qin Yubo transformed it to look a temple to escape punishment.

Things to see and do on a visit

Ancient activities 

At the temple visitors can watch folk performances, acrobatics, learn special calligraphy and participate in cockfighting. 

Local snacks

The area around the temple is full of local snack vendors and a wide variety of restaurants. There are many renowned restaurants such as Lu Bo Lang that have had the privilege of hosting various international guests including former American president Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth II. In addition, there are many others like Shanghai De Xing Guan, Songyue Vegetarian Restaurant and Nanxiang Small Steamed Buns. The area has delicacies such as Shepherd's-purse Wonton, Crystal Shelled Shrimp, Eight Delicacies in Hot Sauce, a variety of buns like Crab Soup Buns, Barbecued Pork Buns, Mini Steamed Buns and Vegetable Buns, desserts such as Black Rice Balls, Date Mash Cakes, Osmanthus Cakes, Chop Rice Cakes and Plum Flower Cakes among many more.

Worshipping 

At the City God Temple immortals such as Huo Guang who was a famous general in the Western Han Dynasty is worshipped. Guan Yu is honored as the general during the Three Kingdoms period and the national martial icon for centuries. There are also immortals responsible for fame, wealth, and literature amongst other many human needs. Sacrifices are also offered here to local deities to appreciate their honesty and favors.

The temple is also known as two city gods because two gods share the same temple with Huo Guang occupying the front hall and the god of Shanghai city Qin Yubo occupying the back hall.

Shopping 

Apart from worship, the temple area is a flourishing shopping area with handicrafts, buttons, souvenirs, holiday decorations, plush, antiques, snacks, gadgets and different types of gifts.