Pingyao's Temple of the City God was built during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127) and is an essential venue for visitors who seek to appreciate and understand the cultural and religious background of this city.

The temple has a rich cultural heritage and it bears witness to the way in which aspects of Confucianism, Taoism and the ancient customs of the Han people of the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River have been brought together in ritual, design and decoration.

The architectural style is Taoist involving the use of blue and green tiles that confirm the high level of importance the temple had for the city.

Elaborate wall paintings, lifelike clay sculptures, exquisitely carved bricks and wood carvings as well as the ingenious carpentry used in the construction of the buildings are monuments to the craftsmanship and skill of those responsible for their completion.

The classical Qing Dynasty ornamentation of the roof ridges, with their myriads of floral and fauna, both real and mythical, is a feast for the eyes.