Yuanmiao Temple is a Taoist temple in the centre of Putian with a history stretching back to the Jin dynasty. The main hall contains Song-dynasty carvings and is one of the better-preserved examples of early Chinese timber architecture in Fujian. The temple is an active place of worship rather than a museum, and the incense, the sound of religious music, and the mix of elderly devotees and younger pilgrims create an atmosphere that more famous temples have lost.
The temple is surrounded by an old commercial district that gives something of the feel of pre-modern Putian — low buildings, narrow lanes, traditional shopfronts selling incense and religious goods. It is centrally located and easily combined with a walk to the nearby Guangxiao Temple and the old town streets around them.