Fuxi Temple is also named Taihao Palace, and it is also known as Renzhong Temple. After the ninth renovation and expansion in Emperor Guangxu's reign during the Qing Dynasty, it covered an area of 13,000 square meters. The remaining temple only covers about 6600 square meters.
Fuxi Temple has numerous courts and four compounds. Ten historic buildings in the temple include the theatrical stage, archways, the main gate, the instrumental gate, Congenital Temple, Taiji Temple, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Laihe Hall. Six new buildings include Waiting Rooms, the Tablet Gallery and exhibition halls. There are about 76 buildings.
The whole complex faces south. Such grand and majestic buildings as the Memorial Gateway, the main gate, the instrument gate, Congenital Temple, and Taiji Temple are arranged along the axis line advancing layer upon layer, and the Waiting Rooms and the Tablet Gallery are distributed symmetrically and regularly along the horizontal line. This arrangement is the distinctive style of traditional Chinese architecture. Since Fuxi is the first emperor in ancient legends, the complex is like a palace. It is the country's largest architectural complex worshipping Fuxi.
Congenital Temple is the main hall and is located in the very middle part of the back of the middle yard. It is the main building of Fuxi Temple, and it was built grandly on a 1.7 meter high brick platform. In the magnificent hall stands a huge Fuxi painted sculpture. On the ceiling is painted the Taiji Eight Diagram, and its four edges are divided into 64 cells. Behind the Congenital Temple is the Tanji Temple that is also known as the Back Temple, the Sleeping Temple or the Chamber. It was built slightly smaller than the Congenital Hall according to the custom: "sleeping hall after palace." Originally, the Tanji Temple was built for the oblation of Fuxi, later for the Patron of Agriculture.
64 cypresses, symbolizing 64 diagrams, were planted in every yard of the Fuxi Temple in the Ming Dynasty. There are only 37 remaining cypresses. They are stately and lush, and their dense branches and leaves block the sun. Inside the gate, the Fuxi Temple has two old locust trees. The one on the east side is still alive though the trunk is hollow. It was planted during the Tang Dynasty according to an appraisal.
Fuxi TempleWhat is interesting about the image is that it doesn't look Chinese, but like a Western man with a beard. It was said that he repopulated the world after a major flood after consulting heaven about marrying a woman. On Fuxi's birthday, on the 16th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, worshippers come to light candles and incense and listen to the banging of a big drum. With unusual piety, the whole temple is filled with a solemn silence.
Features: Fuxi Temple is a large and well preserved Ming Dynasty architectural complex. It was built about the year 1490 to worship the god Fuxi who was believed to be one of the ancestors of all Chinese. The national government listed this temple as a key cultural relic in 2001. In 1963, it became a provincial-level cultural relics protected area. It was listed as a key national cultural relic in 2001.
Address: No. 110, Fu Xi Road, Qinzhou District, Tianshui City.
How to get there: 20 minutes walk from the street at the south side of Tianshui center. 5 yuan by taxi.