One-Day Tour: City God Temple → Goddess of Mercy Hall

Changzhi is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization and boasts a wealth of ancient architecture that reflects the culture and beliefs of different eras. The City God Temple and the Goddess of Mercy Hall are typical examples. In the mortal world, a county is governed by a magistrate, while in the netherworld, it is protected by the City God. The faith in deities has been passed down through generations and embodied in these magnificent buildings, built to show the highest respect to the City God who blesses local people.

The painted sculptures in the Goddess of Mercy Hall rank among the Three Great Hanging Sculptures of Shanxi. The dazzling fairyland of Buddhism is the fruit of craftsmen’s decades of elaborate work. Well-preserved by the honest and simple local people of Changzhi, these artworks are ready for you to admire.

Visit Lu'an Prefecture City God Temple, the largest and best-preserved City God Temple in the region. At noon, taste famous local delicacies of Changzhi, including Shangdang donkey meat, Huguan mutton soup, Zhangzi fried pancake and Lucheng tossed pancake.

Tour the Goddess of Mercy Hall. Marvel at the ingenious layout, exquisite craftsmanship and lifelike painted and hanging sculptures in the main hall, and appreciate the charm of ancient Chinese sculptural art.