運城鹽湖及池神廟｜China‘s Dead Sea, and Chishen Temple dedicated to Deity of Salt Lake, Yuncheng City, Shanxi

Known as “China’s Dead Sea” for its salinity, the vast lake has long been the focal point of Yuncheng’s culture and economy. Chinese historians estimate that locals have consciously harvested salt from the lake for 6,000 years, and ancient human remains found in the area suggest that people may have realized the water’s salty benefit even further back. By the sixth century, Yuncheng lake was responsible for a quarter of China’s overall salt production. Local lore reports wars fought over possession of the lake, and nearby temples are dedicated to salt gods. The lake is connected to the signature tang in Shanxi’s food, which is replete with salty soy sauce.

Chi’shen Temple was built in the 12th year of Daliof the Tang Dynasty (777 A.D.). According to history record, due to specific natural reasons, there was an unprecedented spectacle of "red salt growing by itself" in the salt lake. Salt officials reported the matter to the court, saying it was a sign of great good luck. After verification, Li Yu of Emperor Tang Daizong was greatly delighted. He issued a royal edict to designate Yuncheng Salt Lake as the "Baoying Lingqing"(precious and magic lake). He ordered to set up a temple in the Salt Lake, and designated the god of the lake as "Lingqing Gong".

Monarchs of all dynasties since the Tang Dynasty all hoped that salt profits would add taxes to the country, so Chi’shen Temple were expanded and repaired through generations. Therefore, the historical culture and architectural style of the six times including Tang Dynasty, Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty and modern times are all expressed here. Among them, the three main halls in Tang Dynasty, the site of Bao Zheng managing salt affairs in Song Dynasty, the stele gallery and opera tower in Yuan Dynasty, the forbidden wall in Ming Dynasty, the imperial decree in Qing Dynasty and scenery of allusions in modern times are of primitive simplicity and remoteness, transcendent and refined, solemn and majestic.

The four major landscapes of Chi’shen Temple can be called the "one and only" of Chinese temple architectural art. Firstly, the three main halls of Lake God, Sun God and Wind God in Tang Dynasty coexist and accompany each other. Its architectural style is unique in the world. Secondly, in the temple the location of the steles and stone carvings of the past dynasties is very strange—on the central axis of the entire temple. Thirdly, these inscriptions of steles were given by emperors of all ages. Fourthly, Chi’shen Temple is the only temple in the country built by the government (court) for enterprises (salt production). It highlights the position of salt industry in the development of feudal society. As a result, Nanfeng Group has become the only enterprise with "ancestral temple" in the country. Over the past 1200 years since Chi’shen Temple was built, it has experienced ups and downs through times. After being repaired, they have regained their spirits. Chi’shen temple has been listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Shanxi province and a patriotism education base by Shanxi province and the former Ministry of chemical industry.