Fuxi Temple (Tianshui)

Fuxi Temple is a Ming-dynasty temple complex in the old part of Tianshui, in Qinzhou District, Gansu, China, dedicated to Fuxi, the mythical ancestor who is said to have devised the eight trigrams that underlie the I Ching. Tianshui is traditionally associated with Fuxi's birthplace, and the temple has been a place of worship and civic ceremony for centuries. The buildings follow a north-south axis, with gateways, courtyards and halls laid out in the traditional manner, and the main hall houses a statue of Fuxi. The most memorable feature for many visitors is the Taiji pavement, a stone surface inlaid with the 64 hexagrams, which allows visitors to see the full system of symbols laid out underfoot. Ancient cypress trees stand in the courtyards, some of them several hundred years old, and give the temple a shaded, quiet atmosphere. A stele gallery and smaller halls display inscriptions and explain the history of the site. Visitors typically spend one to one and a half hours, walking along the axis, reading the displays and looking at the carvings and painted beams. The temple is within the old street area of Tianshui, so it combines easily with a stroll around the surrounding lanes. Admission is about 20 yuan, and visitors should bring a passport. Hours are roughly 8:00AM to 6:00PM, but they can vary. The temple is easy to reach by city bus, with several routes serving the area, or by taxi from Tianshui station for a few yuan. Morning is the best time, with cooler air and fewer visitors, and late spring to autumn offers the most comfortable weather. Crowds are small on most days, though local ceremonies and festivals, especially those honouring Fuxi, draw larger groups. Visitors should dress modestly, keep their voices low in the halls and follow signs about photography inside the main hall. The site is a good complement to Maijishan Grottoes on a day in Tianshui.