"Touch the Soulbeat of Linhai in the Incense of the Millennium City God" — On the Eve of National Day at Taizhou Prefecture

"Touch the Soulbeat of Linhai in the Incense of the Millennium City God" — A Deep Cultural Journey to Taizhou Prefecture City God Temple on the Eve of National Day 🌄 Why choose the City God Temple on the eve of National Day? Avoid the National Day crowds and visit this "First City God Temple in Jiangnan," founded in the fourth year of Tang Wude (621 AD), three days early. You can enjoy the shade of the Sui Dynasty ancient camphor tree and immerse yourself in the millennium legend of Qu Tan, the City God. When the morning light shines through the plaque "Mu Ze Si Min" on the main hall, and the incense smoke intertwines with the clear water of the ancient well, you will understand: this is not only a place of worship but also a living fossil of Linhai people's "City God faith." 🗺️ Itinerary Plan: Two Days and One Night Cultural Immersion Day 1: City God Temple · Ancient Street · Song Dynasty Charm • 07:30-09:00 Visit Taizhou Prefecture City God Temple, listen to the legend of Qu Tan protecting the city • 09:30-11:00 Breakfast on Ziyang Street, check out intangible cultural heritage snacks • 11:30-13:00 Lunch (Baita Bridge Restaurant / Dayang Restaurant) • 14:00-16:00 Boat ride on East Lake, visit the ancient alchemy well of Ziyang Zhenren • 16:30-18:00 Blessings at the Thousand Buddha Pagoda of Longxing Temple • 19:00-20:30 Night tour of Ziyang Street, encounter the "Good Things Are Coming" light show Day 2: Mountains, Sea, Tea Fragrance, and Starry Sky • 05:30-07:00 Sunrise chase at Kuocang Mountain (self-drive/charter) • 09:00-11:00 Yangyan Mountain Tea Culture Park, tea tasting feast • 12:00-13:30 Lunch before return trip (People’s Road seafood) • 14:00-16:00 Camping at Linghu or visit Linhai Museum (optional) 🏯 In-depth Analysis of Key Attractions 1. Taizhou Prefecture City God Temple: A 1,400-Year-Old Totem of Faith • Address: Middle section of Chenghuangshan Beigu Mountain, Wangtiantai Road, Linhai City • Highlights: • Main Hall: Dedicated to Qu Tan, son of Qu Huang from the Three Kingdoms period, folk call him "the one who can summon wind and rain." Since the Tang and Song dynasties, he has been repeatedly honored. The existing plaque "Mu Ze Si Min" is a Qing Dynasty relic. • Sui Dynasty Ancient Camphor Tree: Diameter 3.22 meters, height 13 meters. After being struck by lightning, only half the trunk remains, but it has become a children's "slide," humorously called a "living fossil." • Top Scholar Stone: The blue stone used by ancient martial top scholars for training, with surface dents up to 10 cm deep, witnessing Taizhou’s history of both literary and martial excellence. • Personal Experience: In the early morning, the City God Temple is empty. Running your fingers over the patterns on the Tang Dynasty incense burner, you seem to hear Qu Tan chanting prayers for rain for the people. On the "Hundred Herbs Wall" in the Medicine King Hall, 365 Chinese medicine specimens correspond to the days of the year, reflecting the philosophy of "unity of heaven and man." 2. Ziyang Ancient Street: A Living Museum of Song Dynasty Charm • Must-try: • Wang Tianshun Seaweed Cake: Crispy crust with flaky crumbs, a blend of salty and fragrant flavors, the aroma when fresh out of the oven attracts visitors from the whole street. • Egg White Lamb Tail: A famous dish listed in the "Chinese Cookbook," soft and sweet, eating three in a row is just right. • Thousand Buddha Pagoda: Yuan Dynasty Buddhist pagoda in Longxing Temple, 1,036 Buddha statues have silently stood for a thousand years. The inscription "Namo Amitabha Buddha" on the blue bricks is blurred but adds to its ancient charm. • Night Tour Surprise: The "Good Things Are Coming" light show themed "Wedding Night" features a bride’s red veil lifted by the wind, revealing tears and a smile. It is recommended to reserve seats in advance! 🍜 Food Map: A Paradise of Glutinous Delicacies Breakfast Trio • Mai Xia: Beef Mai Xia from Rongjia Snacks, rich soup and smooth noodles, 15 RMB/bowl. • Qian Gao: Hongchi Qian Gao, rice cake wrapped with braised pork, 8 RMB each, a giant in the breakfast world. • Doumian Sui: Adult Doumian Sui, meatball soup base with meatballs, 10 RMB/bowl. Snack Highlights • Plum Blossom Cake: Aunt Wang’s Plum Blossom Cake, made to order, blending wheat fragrance and brown sugar, 3.5 RMB each. • Ginger Juice Egg Custard: A unique "internet-famous health dessert" in Taizhou Prefecture, combining walnuts, brown sugar, and spicy old ginger with silky texture, 12 RMB/serving. • Fermented Soup: A small bowl containing over a dozen ingredients including lean meat, vegetables, mushrooms, and dried tofu, savory and warming, 8 RMB/bowl. Main Meal Recommendations • Baita Bridge Restaurant: No. 376 Ziyang Street, handwritten dish names and abacus billing, white-cut chicken and egg white lamb tail represent the local flavor, about 60 RMB per person. • Dayang Restaurant (Taizhou University Branch): No. 435 Dongfang Avenue, fresh seafood, about 82 RMB per person, recommended "Home-style Braised Yellow Croaker." 🚶 Walking Route Plan 1. City God Temple → East Lake: Dialogue between ancient architecture and nature • Route: Main Hall of City God Temple → Huipu Road → North Gate of East Lake Park (about 20 minutes) • Highlights: • The Nine-Bend Bridge on East Lake reflects willow trees. Rent a rowboat (30 RMB/hour) to observe black swans up close. • The "Qiaoyun Pavilion" in the lake pavilion houses the Qing Dynasty "Linhai County Gazetteer," perfect for history and literature lovers. 2. City God Temple → Jiangnan Great Wall: Collision of history and mountains & sea • Route: City God Temple → Xingshan Gate → Lansheng Gate (about 1.5 hours, reverse hiking recommended) • Highlights: • The "Hollow Enemy Platform" at Xingshan Gate is the wisdom of Qi Jiguang in resisting Japanese pirates. Climbing the platform offers a panoramic view of Lingjiang River. • The 198 steps at Lansheng Gate challenge your stamina, but the "Gujing Tower" at the top offers a photo opportunity with the Great Wall and city in one frame. 🏨 Accommodation Guide: Sleep in History 1. Taizhou Prefecture City Print Hotel: Industrial Style Meets Ancient Charm • Features: Converted from the 70-year-old Taizhou Printing Factory, retaining printing machines, high ceilings, and other industrial elements, integrated with a vinyl record bar and whiskey cigar bar. • Rooms: Duplex LOFT rooms about 600 RMB/night, with huge windows facing Ziyang Street, perfect for capturing the ancient street panorama at dawn. • Bonus: Free coffee-making classes, ideal for artistic youth. 2. Kuocang Mountain Misailang Farmhouse: Dreaming in the Clouds • Features: The only homestay on the mountain top, starry sky rooms about 500 RMB/night, including breakfast. • Note: Night temperatures can drop to 10°C, bring a down jacket! 🚗 Transportation Guide: Seamless Connection • High-speed rail: Hangzhou East → Linhai Station (1.5 hours), taxi to City God Temple about 20 RMB. • Self-drive: Shenhai Expressway Linhai North Exit → Linhai Avenue → Huipu Road. Parking near City God Temple is tight; recommended to park at East Lake parking lot (10 RMB/time). • Bus: Route 209 directly to City God Temple; Routes 201/202/203 get off at East Lake Park stop, then 500 meters walk. ⚠️ Precautions: Pitfall Guide 1. City God Temple Etiquette: Do not climb ancient buildings, quietly observe Confucius worship ceremonies, avoid loud noises. 2. Great Wall Hiking: Wear non-slip shoes! Some steps are slippery; elderly should carefully consider the full route. 3. Food Queues: Seaweed cakes and egg white lamb tail are made fresh; may sell out after 3 PM. 4. Weather Tips: Linhai often has showers in late September; carry a folding umbrella. 📸 Interactive Topic "What 'living history' have you touched during your travels?" Share your story in the comments. The highest liked story wins a box of Linhai seaweed cakes! ✨ Guide Maintenance: This information was updated in September 2025. Opening hours and ticket prices are subject to official announcements. Follow the "Linhai Culture & Tourism" public account for National Day exclusive event information! Let incense and mountain winds dance together, let history flow in your palm — Linhai awaits you for a millennium appointment.