Renwei Temple Fair, Guangzhou, China

2009 3 29

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Renwei Temple was first built in 1052 (Song Dynasty). Throughout most of its nearly 960 years of history, Renwei Temple has been the place for the local townsfolk to worship one of the most important Taoist gods—Emperor Zhenwu. Situated by the beautiful Lizhiwan (Lychee Bay), the temple has been recently restored to its former glory after many years of negligence. On the 3rd day of the 3rd month on the Chinese calendar, a grand temple fair was held here to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Zhenwu.

仁威祖庙始建于宋皇祐四年（公元1052年），时称北帝庙，后来改称仁威庙，至今已有近960历史了。坐落于风景秀美的西关泮塘乡荔枝湾畔，祖庙是一座供奉道教真武大帝（北帝、玄天上帝）的庙宇。每逢农历三月初三北帝诞，这里都会聚集荔湾各乡的人士，举行规模盛大的庙会活动。

Emperor Zhenwu is being worshiped by people from all walks of life—notice the heavy smoke from all the burning incense?
Each of the sixty Tai Sui generals here are worshiped people born in the corresponding year
Stone carvings of the Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise
A show of force from various clans, societies and organizations in the celebration of Emperor Zhenwu’s birthday

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Team “Wong Fei-hung” (a.k.a. Huáng Fēihóng) was among the teams that put on show traditional lion dance, dragon dance, and martial art demonstrations, too.
A traditional mime featuring a classic ‘Big Head Buddha’
Kung-fu demonstration with a broadsword
Dragon dance
Lion dance
Lion dance—acrobatic moves
The tranquility of Liwan Lake (Lychee Bay Lake) next to the hustle and bustle of Renwei Temple

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