Temple of the Flower Goddess

📍 Address: 470 meters north of Guangping Horticultural Farm, Qinhuai District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

🌿 Historical Origins
The Temple of the Flower Goddess was originally constructed during the Qing Dynasty as a place of worship dedicated to the deity of all flowers, serving as one of the significant centers of folk religious belief in southern Nanjing. According to the Jinling Sui Shi Ji (Customs and Traditions of Jinling), during the Ming and Qing dynasties, on the twelfth day of the second lunar month—the Flower Festival—local residents would gather here in large numbers to burn incense and pray for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and flourishing blooms. The temple suffered repeated damage due to warfare over the centuries. The current structures were rebuilt in 2008 on the original site, preserving the traditional architectural layout and cultural essence of southern Chinese temples.

🏛️ Architectural Features
Facing south with its main structure oriented north, the temple covers approximately 300 square meters, showcasing classic southern Chinese architectural elements such as blue bricks and gray tiles, horse-head walls, and upturned eaves. The main hall features a three-bay hip roof design, with stone steps and an incense altar before it. Flanking the hall are subsidiary shrines dedicated to deities including Dongyue and Sheji (Earth God). The interior walls are adorned with murals depicting the Scroll of the Twelve Flowers, illustrating twelve representative blossoms—peony, plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and others—symbolizing the changing seasons and the animating spirit of nature.

🏺 Cultural Relics and Remnants
In front of the temple stands a stele inscribed during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, known as the "Stele of the Flower Goddess Shrine." The inscription records the temple’s founding and subsequent restoration history, offering invaluable physical evidence for the study of local customs and religious beliefs. Behind the temple courtyard stands a century-old osmanthus tree, believed to have been planted at the time of the temple’s original construction; it continues to fill the garden with fragrance each autumn.

🌟 Cultural Significance
The Temple of the Flower Goddess is not only a living embodiment of Nanjing’s traditional flower festival culture but also a quintessential example of the fusion between folk religion and reverence for nature in southern China. Its architectural style, ritual practices, and seasonal festivals fully preserve the humanistic spirit of honoring flowers and cherishing time, making it of great importance for research into regional culture and intangible heritage in southern Jiangnan.

🎟️ Visitor Information

• Opening Hours: Open year-round, daily from 8:00 to 17:00
• Admission: Free (temporary fees may apply during certain festivals)
• Recommended Visit Duration: 40–60 minutes
• Transportation Tips: Take Metro Line 3 to Daming Road Station, then walk about 1.2 kilometers; alternatively, take Bus You5 to the “Guangping Horticultural Farm” stop

🌸 Tip: During spring outings, the surrounding horticultural farm bursts into bloom, creating a stunning contrast with the serene temple—perfect for experiencing the poetic imagery of “By April, flowers have faded across the land, yet peach blossoms in mountain temples still bloom.”