Shengzhou City God Temple: Admire the Ancient Architectural Elegance at the "Xishan First Tower" and Experience the Birthplace of Yue Opera

Early in the morning, take a stroll through Shengzhou's old town to find the City God Temple, famed as the "Xishan First Tower." Passing through the bustling snack street, an ancient building with black tiles and white walls suddenly comes into view at the corner. Its flying eaves and upturned corners exude a solemnity shaped by time—this is the Shengzhou City God Temple. Unlike the flamboyance of famous gardens in Jiangnan, it quietly attracts every seeker of antiquity with its reputation as the "Hall of Woodcarving Art." Climbing the steps, the first thing you encounter is the plaque of the "Xishan First Tower." This tower serves as the entrance to the City God Temple and is one of the iconic buildings of Shengzhou's ancient city. The structure is a three-story pavilion style, with a spacious arched gateway on the ground floor. Looking up, you can see wooden dragon carvings winding around the columns on the second-floor corridor. The dragon claws are powerful, the scales finely detailed; despite enduring a century of wind and rain, the craftsmanship of the artisans still shines through. Standing beneath the archway, you can almost hear echoes of history—legend has it this was once an excellent spot for the ancients to climb high and gaze far, overlooking the scenic waters and mountains of the Shan Creek and the bustling city below. Although modern buildings now partially block the view, the grandeur of "taking in all the beauty of Xishan at a glance" remains.

Passing through the Xishan First Tower, you enter the core courtyard of the City God Temple. The courtyard is small but cleverly arranged, with a clean and tidy bluestone-paved ground. On both sides are symmetrical side rooms, with red lanterns hanging under the eaves. A gentle breeze causes the lanterns to sway lightly, casting shifting shadows on the brick carvings on the walls. Straight ahead is the main hall, its doors wide open, housing the statue of the City God with incense smoke curling upward. The doors and windows of the main hall are a concentrated display of woodcarving art, vividly depicting flowers, birds, fish, insects, and human stories: peonies bloom with regal splendor, butterflies resting on petals seem to flutter; in the scene of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, details like Iron Crutch Li’s gourd and Lü Dongbin’s sword are distinct, even the folds of their robes are richly carved. Looking closely, faint traces of lacquer remain on the woodcarvings, weathered but adding to their rustic and profound charm. In the corridors on both sides of the main hall, exhibitions of Shengzhou folk culture are displayed, with the most eye-catching being those related to Yue Opera. As one of the birthplaces of Yue Opera, Shengzhou City God Temple has a deep connection with this traditional art form. The ancient architecture blends with vibrant life, no longer cold relics but a spiritual home carrying the memories and emotions of the people of Shengzhou.

Leaving the City God Temple, the flying eaves and upturned corners gradually fade into the dusk, while the plaque of the Xishan First Tower becomes even clearer under the sunlight. This journey has revealed astonishing woodcarving art and touched the profound cultural roots of Shengzhou—it is hidden in the carved beams and painted rafters, in the melodies of Yue Opera, and in every story related to the City God Temple. This ancient temple, full of antiquity, is like a weighty history book, waiting for everyone to open and understand Shengzhou’s past and present.

Post by ISABEL KLEIN | Oct 16, 2025