It might seem strange to find a Chinese Taoist temple in Trinity County, but Weaverville has one. It’s called The Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds and it’s the oldest continually used Chinese temple in all of California. You can see it at the Joss House State Historic Park. Built in 1874 to replace an even older temple that had burned down, it is an active place of worship but also a museum offering rare insights into the history of Chinese settlers in Northern California. Exhibits and artifacts that include mining tools, artworks, photographs and weapons used in the Tong War of 1854 are on display Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm, and tours of the temple leave on the hour from 10 am to 4pm.
WHERE: 630 Main St., Weaverville (google map)
MORE INFO: 530-623-5284 | Parks.Ca.Gov