Yancheng Beiji Temple(鹽埕北極殿)

Built in 1684, the temple enshrines Xuan Tian Shang Di (Dark Heavenly Highest Deity). Beiji Temple’s historical evolution is closely connected to early salt field culture. For over 300 years, it has protected the local farmers and salt workers, and is the spiritual center for local people. In early times, the people of Yancheng would send dried salt from Pan Port(泮港) near Beiji Temple to Anping and other places. The river port is no longer visible but the complex arrangement of streets around the temple are clues to its former existence. Beiji Temple holds a large scale jianjiao sacrificial ceremony and procession every 12 years. The procession roughly follows the route of the river channel on old maps, another connection to the salt-drying days of the past.