Fire God Palace

　　Fire God Palace is a famous scenic spot of Changsha, Hunan Province, and the main building is a Fire God Temple. It is famous for the most types of authentic Xiaoxiang dishes. Visitors visiting Fire God Palace are to taste local food of Hunan Province. Upon reconstruction, Fire God Palace has better and regulated hygiene conditions. Visitors can taste all kinds of mouth-watering Changsha dishes and Hunan snacks, including Changsha stinky tofu, authentic braised pork, glutinous rice cake, etc. Fire God Palace as a food hall now has one headquarter and three divisions in Changsha City. But the most renowned one is still the most established one on Pozi Road where is the earliest location of Fire God Temple. It has developed food culture due to the existence of snack stalls and temple fair long time ago.

　　Fire God Palace used to be a temple to worship the Fire God, and was also called "Qianyuan Palace". It was built in the 12th Qianlong year in the Qing Dynasty (1747 A.D.), and reconstructed in the sixth Daoguang year (1826), more than 250 years from now. On the 23rd day of the sixth lunar month every year, a rand worship ceremony will be held. On the day, many people will visit here.

　　With the "Fire God Temple Culture" as the basis, and famous and good vegetarian diet, the unique features of Fire God Palace attract many visitors. He Shaoji, the famous calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty wrote a couplet hung on the columns of the stage, "images are generated from falsehood, showing the ways of the world, inspiring people explore reality from falsehood; other tastes are distinct by comparing with bitter, all the officials loyal to their sovereign and dutiful sons all have good life after hardships", which is regarded as classic. On the old memorial archway of Fire God Palace, the three words "Qian-Yuan Palace" was wrote by Huang Ziyuan, a calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty, and is well protected. During the Anti-Japanese War, Xu Teli (Revolutionist and educator of China) delivered a speech here about the ten guidelines for fighting against Japanese and saving China. Tian Han (drama writer, film script writer, novelist, poet, lyrics writer, literary critic) had dinner here together with his friends. Leaders of China including Mao Zedong, Peng Dehuai, Ye Jianying, Wang Shoudao, Wang Zhen, and Hu Yaobang also visited Fire God Palace. In May 1973, mathematician Hua Luogeng carried out a one-month test of "optimum seeking method" here.

　　In 1975, famous musician Tan Dun wrote musical works for recitation of the article Chairman Mao's Visit to Fire God Palace. Political leaders and diplomatic officials from the U.S., Japan, French, Swiss, former Soviet Union and Australia also visited here. Articles about special dishes of Fire God Palace were published on conspicuous pages of Food (U.S.), Ginza Aster (Japan), tourist magazine (France) and map for tourist guides China (Hong Kong). Fire God Palace is well known all over the world. 　　Fire God Palace is a representative place that integrates folk custom, culture of Fire God Temple, catering culture of Changsha City and even Hunan Province. The special dishes of Fire God Palace are renowned in Three Xiang (Li-xiang, Xiao-xiang, Zheng-xiang). In 2001, to echo with the government call of building the "Food Street" of Pozi Street, Fire Temple Palace was reconstructed, expanded and decorated in an unprecedented manner.

　　Traditional and special dishes are sold in Fire God Palace, such as stinky tofu, sister balls, brains roll, pig blood soup, dual-taste eight-treasure rice. All these dishes are well cooked from carefully selected materials, and have good-looking forms and authentic tastes. In addition, special dishes from other places other than Hunan Provinces are also served here. The varied dishes will provide visitors with an unforgettable catering experience. Dishes here, represented by "Chairman Feast" that was served in 1958 when Chairman Mao Zedong visited Fire God Palace, strive to reflect the unique flavors of Hunan cuisine. Special dishes in the morning tea and the night market as well as food-ordering restaurants and feasts that are featured by Hunan cuisine are well welcomed by numerous customers due to their characteristic types, reliable quality, convenience and low price.