A Tu-di is a Chinese patron god of specific small areas, such as a building, street or district. The Tu-di keeps a careful record of the lives and deaths of the inhabitants in its area. The Tu-di are subordinate to the Cheng-huang, but are also important in protecting the citizens and ensuring a good harvest.
Along with the Cheng-huang, the Tu-di are responsible for carrying out most of the careful micromanagement of Yu-huang's administration. Tu-di is sometimes spelled T'u-ti.