Trip.Best Popular Temples in Shanghai

Jing'an Temple: A Millennial Zen Retreat Amidst the Bustling City In Shanghai's most vibrant Jing'an Temple commercial district, skyscrapers stand shoulder to shoulder, and traffic flows ceaselessly day and night. Yet, nestled within this bustling heart, Jing'an Temple stands in stark contrast to the glass curtain walls across the street, creating a gentle dialogue between two different eras. This ancient temple, originally built during the Three Kingdoms period (specifically the Wu Kingdom's Chiwu era), has weathered a thousand years of storms, maintaining its serene tranquility amidst the city's hustle and bustle, becoming a precious spiritual haven in the heart of Shanghai. Stepping into the temple instantly isolates you from the outside world's noise. Inside the vermilion gates, incense smoke curls and chanting fills the air, a stark contrast to the cacophony of traffic and pedestrians on the street. The temple, though small, is exquisitely laid out, with the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Buddha Hall, and the Three Saints Hall arranged in a row. The upturned eaves and carved beams and painted rafters showcase the refined elegance of ancient Jiangnan architecture. The most striking feature is undoubtedly the gilded roof of the main hall, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. It is said to have consumed nearly a hundred tons of gold, and despite the passage of time, it remains as dazzling as ever, becoming the most distinctive symbol of Jing'an Temple. Inside the hall, a solemn and dignified atmosphere prevails. The Buddha statues are compassionate and serene, and devotees, holding incense and candles, kneel in devout worship. The air is filled with the mingled aromas of sandalwood and yak butter, prompting one to slow down and calm their mind. Red lanterns sway gently in the breeze along the corridors, casting shadows on the blue brick floor. Occasionally, monks in robes walk slowly by, their steps steady and their expressions serene, adding to the Zen-like atmosphere. Deep within the temple grounds lies a charming garden, with several ancient pines standing tall and vigorous, and a rockery and flowing water creating a picturesque scene. Sitting on a stone bench for a short rest, listening to the distant chanting and the tinkling of wind chimes from the eaves, one's inner restlessness instantly dissipates. The uniqueness of Jing'an Temple lies in its deep integration with the city. Outside the temple lies a brightly lit commercial district, while inside, a serene and solemn place for meditation. This interplay of activity and stillness, of the mundane and the refined, perfectly embodies the wisdom of "finding tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle." Here, you might see white-collar workers in suits offering incense and prayers during their lunch break, or encounter monks intently meditating. Different life paths converge here, yet all find inner peace in this serene setting. Leaving the temple, stepping once more...

Highly recommend visiting to pray for your family! Many people say this place is very efficacious. It's also great for taking beautiful photos 📷. There are kittens everywhere 🐈. It's very quiet on a weekday. Not crowded, and quite spacious. Free incense is available at the entrance. After getting the incense, walk around the pagoda three times, silently pray, and bow facing the four directions. After bowing, place the incense in the burner. At the very end, there's a vegetarian noodle restaurant. A bowl of noodles is reasonably priced at only 15 yuan, and side dishes are 10 yuan. Next to the restaurant, there are also souvenir shops selling various flavored cakes and snacks in vacuum-packed packaging. Subway 🚇 Line 11/12, Longhua Station, Exit 3. There is a parking lot for cars 🚗 with direct access to the temple.

The Jade Buddha Temple is one of Shanghai's most important temples, enjoying enduring popularity and widespread worship. It boasts a great location in the city center, convenient transportation, and nearby parking for those driving. The ambiance is pleasant, spacious, and elegant. There's also a vegetarian restaurant, which is quite large, but customers are expected to find their own seats. The vegetarian noodles and mooncakes are also quite delicious.