Huogongdian (火宫殿), located on Pozi Street in Changsha, Hunan Province, is a representative venue that integrates traditional folk culture, fire temple culture, and culinary culture. Known for its flavorful snacks, Huogongdian is celebrated throughout the region of Sanxiang (Hunan). This famous attraction not only showcases various local delicacies, such as Changsha stinky tofu, authentic braised pork, and rice cakes, but also operates as a renowned “Time-Honored Brand” in China, with one main restaurant and four branches.
With a history of over 430 years, Huogongdian, also known as Qianyuan Palace, was originally built in 1577 during the Ming Dynasty. It was renovated in 1826 and includes several structures, such as the Fire God Temple, Wealth God Temple, Mitra Pavilion, and Puci Pavilion, covering an area of more than 6,000 square meters. After the devastating Wenxi Fire in 1938, which destroyed much of the complex, it was rebuilt in 1941, restoring the Fire God Temple while creating a bustling market atmosphere reminiscent of the old Beijing Tiantan and Nanjing Confucius Temple.
In the years following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the culinary scene flourished, leading to the establishment of the Huogongdian Restaurant in 1956 as a cooperative business. Today, it stands as the cornerstone of Changsha’s culinary culture, with the surrounding area developing into “Changsha Food Street,” where a variety of distinctive local snacks continue to thrive and evolve, preserving and promoting the rich culinary heritage of Hunan.
Location and Transportation
Huogongdian is located at 127 Pozi Street, Tianxin District, Changsha, Hunan Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 11, 143, 308, 358, 901, or 908 and get off at Fanxi Alley Stop (樊西巷站).
Metro: The closest metro station to Huogongdian is Huangxing Square (黄兴广场) on line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit 1, you will be standing at the east end of Pozi Street.