The first City God Temple in China is in Jiaozuo! Worship the first City God and enjoy authentic donkey meat sandwiches～

⚡Jiaozuo hides a "China first"! This City God Temple enshrines the very first City God in history～

🧐Why claim to be the "first"?

The confidence of Jiaozuo City God Temple (located in Qiangnan Village, Shanyang District) comes from its "main character"—Ji Xin! This loyal and righteous figure from the Chu-Han period pretended to be King of Han to save Liu Bang and died in his place. Liu Bang posthumously honored him, making him the first City God in Chinese history. This temple, originally built during the Han Dynasty, was commissioned by Liu Bang to honor him. With a history of over two thousand years, the title "China's First City God Temple" is well deserved～

🏯Highlights inside the temple

Although the existing mountain gate and main hall have been renovated over the years, you can still see the simple and elegant style of Han Dynasty architecture, with bricks and tiles exuding a sense of weight and history. Standing in front of the main hall, looking at Ji Xin’s statue, you can almost hear the stories of loyalty and righteousness echoing from a thousand years ago. Nearby are the ruins of the ancient Shanyang City, and the names Qiangnan Village and Qiangbei Village originate from this history. After visiting the temple, take a stroll around the ruins to instantly grasp the historical context～

🍢Must-try Jiaozuo flavors

After leaving the City God Temple, be sure to dive into the nearby snack street to experience the local flavor:

- Nao Tang Donkey Meat: Jiaozuo’s donkey meat shares roots with Qinyang’s style but is richer locally. The donkey meat sandwich is crispy outside and tender inside, juicy with every bite. Paired with a bowl of donkey offal soup, it warms your heart～
- Jin Xianshu Sesame Pancake: This old brand’s sesame pancake smells irresistible when fresh out of the oven, salty, fragrant, and crispy. Add pickled vegetables or spicy strips for a nostalgic taste of childhood～
- Youcha (Oil Tea): Have a bowl for breakfast, made from peanuts, sesame, and crushed walnuts cooked into a thick paste. It’s sticky and smooth, perfect with sesame pancakes!

🛌Stay grounded

We recommend staying at a farmhouse homestay near Qiangnan Village. The courtyard has pomegranate trees, and the owner will tell you the legend of Ji Xin. In the evening, sit under the grape trellis chatting and listen to villagers’ old stories—it’s much more flavorful than staying in a hotel. Wake up to the sound of roosters and follow locals to the village entrance for a bowl of tofu pudding—this is the true "immersive experience"～

✨A little reminder

- The City God Temple is very popular with worshippers. If you come to pray, do so sincerely. Ji Xin is said to oversee many things: protecting safety, monitoring good and evil, and even granting blessings and longevity～
- The surrounding villages are very rustic, perfect for a leisurely stroll. If you come in spring, the rapeseed flower fields at the village entrance complement the ancient temple beautifully—every photo looks like a masterpiece～

Don’t just know Jiaozuo for its mountains and waters. This ancient temple housing the "first City God" combines stories of loyalty and righteousness with authentic local delicacies, making it worth a special visit～ 😊