Holy Temple of Lord Guan

The Holy Temple of Lord Guan (圣堂) was built in Xitang, in the third year of Wanli Era of the Ming Dynasty (1575). It was initially for memory to a local governor Pang Shangpeng. After a few times of changing names and renovations in the Qing Dynasty, the temple became an oblation to Lord Guan (关帝), an influential god in Taoism in China.

Because of the rich Taoism culture in China, locals like to burn incense sticks and pray to Lord Guan in the main hall of the temple. During important Taoist festivals, there will be so crowded inside. Therefore, many pious Taoists can only put their burning incenses onto a vessel placed at the temple square located in the front of the main hall. Temporary food stalls will be set up along the street near the temple during grand temple fairs. Locals like to say, "Attend the temple fair, view the beautiful Taoist paintings and eat Shaomai (a kind of Chinese Dim Sum snack)."

On the Fifth Day of First Month in the Lunar Calendar, Xitang merchants will burn incenses and pray to the Lord Guan, in hoping to have a prosper New Year of business.