The oldest continuously operating Chinese Taoist temple in California, built in 1874 and still used for religious ceremonies today. State park rangers lead guided tours through the ornate interior, which contains original altars, silk tapestries, weapons used in the 1854 Tong War, and artifacts carried over from China by Gold Rush–era miners. The building itself — with its curving blue roof and exterior murals — is a remarkable survivor given that most Chinese-built structures from the era were destroyed in fires or torn down. Tours run daily (except Tuesdays) and last about 30 minutes; the small museum in the adjacent building adds useful context about the Chinese experience in the Trinity Alps.
Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park
A story
The temple was built in 1874 to replace an earlier structure destroyed by fire — itself one of several that Chinese miners had erected on the same site since the early 1850s. At its peak, Weaverville's Chinese population outnumbered white settlers, and the Joss House served as their community center, courthouse, and house of worship all at once. The congregation never stopped meeting; a caretaker has maintained continuous religious use for over 150 years.