City God Temple

A Brief Introdution
Xi'an City God Temple is one of the world's three big "City God Temples", enjoys the equal popularity with Beijing City God Temple and Nanjing City God Temple. Xi'an City God Temple is located in the east side of the Da Xuexi lane, West big street, Xi'an City. It covers an area of about 11024 square meters, construction area of about 4466 square meters.

History & Background
Xi'an City God Temple is Town God's Temple the northwest provinces, twenty years before the Ming Dynasty Hongwu (1387 AD), now has more than 600 years of history. It is known as one of the three "City God Temple", more than 600 years, always accompanied by the rise and fall of change in Xi'an after the vicissitudes, the ancient city of blessing the people happy and healthy, the sustenance of this land and the spirit of hope.

In the early Yuan Dynasty, Xi'an has a Town God's Temple provincial government, the site in this position, the Ming Dynasty, Qin Zhu Shuang built the Qin palace, and the relocation of Town God's Temple in the East Gate in nine Yao street, after the relocation of this site in West Street. In Ming Dynasty (1723), a fire destroyed most of the buildings in Town God's Temple, when he was governor of Sichuan Shaanxi has made ordered the demolition and repair of the Ming Qin palace, Town God's Temple with its wood, it can not be said to be the reincarnation of history.

In Qing Dynasty (1887), in front of the temple's people accidentally caught fire, and burned the things on both sides of the shops, then Shaanxi governor Ye Boying personally initiated fundraising rehabilitation. In 1942, the Japanese army bombed the city of Xi'an, in Town God's Temple dropped two bombs, destroyed two of Town God's Temple temple and temple cangjingge. Hundreds of years of cultural relics collection classic be destroyed on one day spread for hundreds of years, especially the drum music was completely destroyed.

In 1975, Deng Xiaoping, then deputy prime minister, came here to visit and was highly appraised.

In 2006 the government invested eight million yuan to repair the West Street arches and two veranda shops. After ten years of efforts, the administrative committee of Town God's Temple to overcome the difficulties, raised about thirty million yuan, has repaired the Wenchang Pavilion, door, wing, the life of loyalty and filial piety temple, Temple, Temple of fire, Mary palace, hall and theater.

Structure & Architecture
Xi'an City God Temple is divided into the temple courtyard and mount these two parts; at the mountain gate of the temple there is a big Memorial arch, on the arch is overlap Dougong, under the arch is a pair of iron male lions. Inside the mountain gate there is a hundred meters long black stone paved path leading to the second door, and between them is a Wenchang pavilion. 

Entering the second door is a delicate beautiful opera theater, which is opposite to the Big Hall in the north-south direction. Between them sits an imposing wooden arch, building eaves have beautifully painted picture and Yin Yang Tai Chi Bagua pattern. The Big hall miankuo seven and Jinshen five, in the middle worshiped the Xi'an City God Temple, on both sides worshiped with devils in animal forms and black and white impermanence, judge, ghost.

The original main building gate, the pavilion, dance floor, arch hall, tract homes, rooms, etc, mostly destroyed, Now the existing building is the hall reconstructed in Qing emperor Yong Zheng 1 year (1723), Dougong eaves, spectacular and magnificent, the roof is covered with glazed tiles, the former Yan sash windows and doors embossed with various patterns, meticulously carved, exquisitely designed. Inside the hall originally stood the statues of the City God,Judge, and Goblin. Outside the Temple Archway originally erected a pair of bronze lions, which were built in Ming Jiajing thirty-eight year (1559).

Traditional Culture & Activity
Theory Of Xi' an Drum Music
It originated in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, song, yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasty, popular in Xi'an and the surrounding Changan, Zhouzhi, Lantian, has preserved the traditional repertoire of tunes, musical instruments, music and playing form. 

Xi'an City God Temple of Drum Music, Xi'an drum three major schools of thought (Taoist, monk, custom). Town God's Temple has always been except recite homework, also must study music, from generation to generation, its music, musical instruments and oral teaching that inspires true understanding within, Taoism scriptures, ritual is closely related with the Taoist soft for a peaceful and elegant, solemn and quiet, permeated with the "Qing" art style and elegance. Skills and artistic performance is very excellent, non ordinary folk music clubs comparable, especially in absorbing and training apprentice, the strict degree is more than the average amateur music clubs.

Culture Of City Of God Temple
The believe in city of god has a broad popular base, Town God's Temple are mostly located in the city center, around Town God's Temple so often strong incense, waves of believers. The rise of the temple, often become the local folk cultural heritage center, which brings together a variety of local opera and folk arts.

Therefore, in the traditional Chinese society, Town God's Temple, while carrying the local customs and ethics and spiritual life, often inherited the most primitive cultural traditions in the region, thus becoming the soul of a city's spiritual culture.

Information
1: Location: Downtown Xi'an
2: TEL: +86-29-87630166
3: Best Time to Visit: April to October
4. Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 Hours
5. Opening Hours: 08:00-21:00
6. Admission Fee: Free