Fuxi Temple (伏羲庙), also known as Taihao Palace (太昊宫), is a renowned ancient architectural complex located in Tianshui, Gansu Province, China. Built between 1483 and 1484 during the Ming Dynasty, it is the largest Fuxi worship site in China.
Covering an area of 13,000 square meters, Fuxi Temple is known for its grand and expansive layout, consisting of a series of courtyards arranged in a traditional palace-style format. The temple complex is structured with four main courtyards, featuring 76 rooms that are arranged along a central north-south axis.
The architectural design of Fuxi Temple reflects the significance of Fuxi as the legendary first emperor of ancient Chinese history. Visitors enter through a majestic archway, passing through several gates and halls, including the Xiantian Hall and the Taiji Hall. The entire complex exudes a sense of solemn grandeur, with its well-preserved structures and serene environment offering a glimpse into traditional Chinese architectural and religious practices.
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Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 20 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.30 |
Location and Transportation
Fuxi Temple is located at 110 Fuxi Road, Qinzhou District, Tianshui City, Gansu Province, China. To get there, you can take bus 5, 21, 22, 80, or 84, get off at Fuxi Temple Stop (伏羲庙站), and walk about 350 meters to the west.
Highlights of Fuxi Temple
Monumental Archway
Originally, Fuxi Temple had three archways: “开天明道 Kai Tian Ming Dao” (Opening Heaven to Illuminate the Way), “继天立极 Ji Tian Li Ji” (Continuing Heaven and Establishing the Principles), and “开物成务 Kai Wu Cheng Wu” (Opening the World to Accomplish Tasks). Today, only the “Kai Tian Ming Dao” archway remains. It stands in front of the main gate on a platform. Created in the 2nd year of the Jiajing era (1523), it was rebuilt several times during the Qing Dynasty, most notably in the Qianlong era (1741), and again in the Jiaqing era (1805-1807) and the Guangxu era (1885-1887). The archway stands 11 meters tall with a width of 3 bays, totaling 10.5 meters. It features a three-eaved roof and maintains its original Ming Dynasty architectural style.
Xiantian Hall
Also known as the Main Hall or Grand Hall, the Xiantian Hall is located at the rear center of the middle courtyard, serving as the main building of the Fuxi Temple complex. Originally built as the Taihao Palace during the Ming Dynasty (1483-1484), though the exact location of the original palace may differ from the current hall. Expanded in the 2nd year of the Jiajing era (1523), it was named “Xiantian” in reference to Fuxi’s Eight Trigrams. The hall has undergone multiple renovations during the Qing Dynasty, including in the Shunzhi era (1653), Qianlong era (1739), Jiaqing era (1805-1807), and Guangxu era (1885-1887), resulting in its current form. Spanning 7 bays wide (26.4 meters) and 5 bays deep (14.05 meters), the hall features a grand double-eaved hip roof adorned with dragon-kiss ridge decorations and intricate carved details. Inside, the hall houses a statue of Fuxi over 3 meters tall, holding the Eight Trigrams with a commanding presence in the shrine. Decorative elements include auspicious animal motifs like dragons, phoenixes, and cranes, as well as floral patterns of peonies, mugwort leaves, and pine branches, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The hall ceiling is decorated with painted diagrams of the I Ching hexagrams and the River Chart (Hetu) and Fuxi’s Eight Trigrams, blending decorative art with Fuxi’s legacy.
Festivals and Celebrations
In Tianshui, the 16th day of the first lunar month is celebrated as Fuxi’s birthday. According to tradition, people visit Fuxi Temple for worship during this Fuxi Temple Fair, a grand occasion to honor the cultural ancestor Fuxi. This tradition, dating back over 2,000 years, celebrates Fuxi’s role in the origins of Chinese civilization. In 1988, the Tianshui Municipal Government reinstated the public worship of Fuxi, and in 2006, the “Taihao Fuxi Ceremony” was listed as one of the first national-level intangible cultural heritages. The festival includes traditional rituals, performances, and community gatherings, providing a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance associated with Fuxi Temple.