Oroville Chinese Temple and Garden, Oroville CA

Category & Type :

Activities

Location :

1500 Broderick Street , Oroville CA

Phone :

530-538-2496

Information about Oroville Chinese Temple and Garden...

In 1968, Tapestry Hall was built to display the extensive collection of embroidered tapestries, parade parasols, and other objects of beauty. A priceless collection of Chinese and American costumes is arranged to contrast the two cultures representing the decades from 1850 to 1930. In 2008, the Fong Lee Company Building was built to display artifacts from the medicinal herb sales and gold purchasing shop of the Chan family.Within the temple compound is a garden with plantings originating in China, featuring a Lace Bark Pine tree, and bamboo planted in the 1860s. The fish pond has lily pads that bloom during the summer, and the Pamello tree fruit is usually ripe during the Chinese New Year.

Built in the spring of 1863, the Oroville Chinese Temple served as a place of worship for a community of 10,000 Chinese residents. Funds for the Temple and furnishings were provided by the Emperor and Empress of China and local Chinese labor built the structure.

A major flood in 1907 decimated the Chinese community so that most Chinese left Oroville. Some returned to China while others moved to Sacramento or San Francisco. The Chan Family then assumed responsibility for the Temple, It was deeded to the City of Oroville in 1937 and it was first opened to visitors at the time of California's Centennial in 1949.

A new addition to the temple was completed in 1968. Tapestry Hall was built to display the extensive collection of embroidered tapestries, parade parasols and other objects of beauty and value which characterize the best of Chinese folk art.

The temple includes three chapels, with the main chapel dedicated to the worship of various faiths including Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Along with the temple is a magnificent garden, which is designed as a place for meditation, with plantings that originated in China.

The temple is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a California Landmark.

In 1968, Tapestry Hall was added to display the extensive collection of embroidered tapestries, parade parasols, and other objects of beauty. A priceless collection of Chinese and American costumes is arranged to contrast the two cultures by decades from 1850 to 1930. Also see the rare three-dimensional puppets from the Oroville Chinese Opera Theatre.

Visitors won't want to miss the garden, which is designed as a place for meditation and reflection and has plantings that originated in China; each is a symbol for a Taoist idea. The temple and garden are maintained by the Oroville Parks Department.

Council Room
This in only portion of one room out of the four which are filled with a very valuable collection of Chinese art and religious artifacts.


The Oroville Chinese Temple was built in 1863 to serve a community of 10,000 Chinese. It includes three chapels for each of the major ways of life in China. The main chapel is called Liet Sheng Kong-Temple of the assorted
deities. It is a place of prayer for various worships including Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

 Chan Room
Adjacent to the main temple is a family or clan chapel. The boards on the one side walls near the altar is the donation received. This room pertain to the clan or family of Chan.


The Chan Room is a Confucian Room for reverence of ancestors. Confucius taught that all human relationships depend upon maintenance of the family.

The Moon Temple, so called because of its entrance, is Wong Fat Tong-Hall of the Yellow Buddha.

The Council Room served a variety of civil and cultural needs of the worker; such as banking, letter writing, discipline and arranging for the burial of the dead.
A major flood in 1907 decimated the Chinese community so that most Chinese left Oroville. Some returned to China while others moved to Sacramento or San Francisco. The Chan Family then assumed responsibility for the Temple, It was deeded to the City of Oroville in 1937 and it was first
opened to visitors at the time of California's Centennial in 1949.

Tapestry Hall


A new addition to the temple was completed in 1968. Tapestry Hall was built to display the extensive collection of embroidered tapestries, parade parasols and other objects of beauty and value which characterize the best of Chinese folk art.

Art was never separate from religious and ethical teachings in China. All objects in everyday use by the common people of China were ornamented by the same symbols seen on these tapestries, The symbols express the religious ideas of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism - combined and repeated over and over. Presented on happy occasions, the tapestries are mostly red which is the color of happiness. The tapestry repeats the wish for happiness, long life, good fortune and many sons.

Some of the symbols are:
Phoenix--brings happiness
Unicorn--brings noble sons
Buddha lion--symbol of power and valor
Deer, crane, peach--symbols of longevity
Bat, butterfly, shou--symbols of joy.