Hello, I’m Michael Zhang, a Chinese travel enthusiast with international travel experience. Jing’an Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in central Shanghai, where gold-roofed halls stand in striking contrast to the surrounding skyscrapers. In this guide, I’ll help you decide whether it’s worth visiting and cover the key sights, tickets, opening hours, recommended visit time, and how to get there.

Summary

Jing’an Temple Overview

Jing’an Temple, also known as Jing’an Ancient Temple, is a Buddhist temple on Nanjing West Road in central Shanghai. Its history can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period; it was renamed Jing’an Temple in 1008 and moved to its present site in 1216. Today, its gold-roofed halls and setting among the skyscrapers of central Shanghai make it a convenient stop for travelers interested in Buddhist culture, architecture, and Shanghai history.

The history of Jing’an Temple dates back to the year 247, during the reign of Sun Quan in the Three Kingdoms period, when it was first known as Hudu Chongyuan Temple. In 1008, the temple was renamed Jing’an Temple under the Song Dynasty. By 1216, it was moved from the Wusong River to its current location on Nanjing West Road, predating the establishment of the city of Shanghai itself. In 1880, after the main hall collapsed, the temple was reconstructed, establishing the tradition of the annual temple fair on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. During the Republic of China era, Jing’an Temple became the headquarters of the Chinese Buddhist Association and underwent several repairs and expansions after World War II.

  • Address: 1686 Nanjing West Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai (Apple Maps/Amap)
  • Opening Hours: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • Recommended Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
  • Best Season to Visit: All year round
  • Ticket Prices: 50 CNY
view of Jing'an Temple with surrounding skyscrapers in Shanghai

Is Jing’an Temple worth visiting?

Generally yes, especially if you enjoy Buddhist culture, architecture, or city photography. Jing’an Temple’s strongest appeal is the contrast between its gold-roofed Buddhist complex and the skyscrapers of central Shanghai, together with highlights such as the 15-ton silver Shakyamuni Buddha in the Mahavira Hall. The temple is compact, so it works better as a focused city-center stop than as a half-day heritage site. For most travelers, a 1–2-hour visit fits naturally into an itinerary around Nanjing West Road and the Jing’an neighborhood.

  • Best for: Travelers interested in Buddhist culture, architecture, city photography, or a quiet cultural stop in central Shanghai
  • Why it’s worth visiting: The contrast between the golden temple roofs and modern skyscrapers, together with the main Buddha halls and 15-ton silver Shakyamuni statue
  • Best combined with: Nanjing West Road, Jing’an Park, and the surrounding Jing’an neighborhood
  • You may skip it if: You have only one day in Shanghai and need to prioritize the Bund, Yu Garden, and the Pudong skyline

Jing’an Temple Ticket Guide

Ticket Prices

  • Standard Admission: ¥50 per person
  • Free Admission: Children 130 cm or shorter
  • Special Days (Incense Days): Free entry on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month

How to Purchase Tickets

  • Online: Reserve tickets through the official Jing’an Temple WeChat mini-program.
  • On-Site (Recommended): Scan the QR code at the temple’s entrance to purchase tickets. Prices are the same as online and provide easy, immediate access.

How Long Do You Need at Jing’an Temple?

Most visitors should allow around 1–2 hours for Jing’an Temple. The exact amount of time depends on whether you only want to see the main halls and courtyard or prefer a slower visit with time for architecture, worship customs, and photos.

  • Quick visit (45–60 minutes): See the main courtyard, Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Muni Hall, and the pagoda exterior.
  • Recommended visit (1–2 hours): Cover the main halls at a comfortable pace, with time to look at the architecture and observe the temple’s worship atmosphere.
  • Extended visit (2+ hours): Explore the temple slowly, spend more time on photography, then continue to Jing’an Park and Nanjing West Road nearby.

For most first-time visitors, I recommend allowing around 1–2 hours.

Top Things to Do in Jing’an Temple

Jing’an Temple is home to several remarkable structures, each rich in history and craftsmanship. Here’s a look at the main attractions within the temple grounds:

Dharma Hall

Located directly north of the main hall, the Dharma Hall is a seven-story structure standing at 32.22 meters. Built from imported Burmese teak and covered with a copper-tiled roof, it embodies the architectural style of the Song Dynasty. The structure features intricate roof decorations, including designs such as mythological animals and Buddhist symbols like elephants, dharma wheels, and lotus flowers. The hall’s yellow and dark-gray glazed tiles add to its stately appearance, while gold leaf adorns much of the structure’s decorative features. The hall’s layout, combining doors, halls, and corridors, showcases traditional Chinese design.

Dharma Hall at Jing'an Temple with traditional architectural details

Mountain Gate

The Mountain Gate, built as a two-story structure with an upper level and the Ten Kings Hall below, is one of Jing’an Temple’s most iconic sights. The gate’s exterior is clad in granite, with teak wood and a yellow glazed-tile roof. Inscribed on the roof ridge are the words “Perpetual Dharma,” a phrase representing Buddha’s eternal teachings. The lower level features three imposing teak doors with bronze accents, surrounded by stone carvings of sacred images like Buddha’s hand, lotus flowers, and the Eight Auspicious Symbols. The second level’s balcony is lined with white marble, complementing the teak interior, while statues of the dharma wheel on each side represent the enduring nature of Buddha’s teachings.

Mountain Gate of Jing'an Temple with intricate stone and woodwork

Bell Tower

On the temple’s second level, the Bell Tower houses the “Peace Bell,” a bronze creation measuring 3.3 meters high, with a diameter of 2.1 meters and weighing 7.3 tons. Known for its deep, resonant tone, the bell’s sound lingers in the air, inviting calm reflection. The lower level of the tower hosts the “Spring Well,” one of the “Eight Views of Jing’an.” Known as “The Sixth Spring Under Heaven,” it draws water from a 156-meter deep well and features a six-meter-deep hexagonal wellhead crafted from solid stone. This well, made from 666 granite blocks with a base stone weighing around 3 tons, highlights the temple’s dedication to architectural detail.

Bell Tower at Jing'an Temple featuring the Peace Bell

Guanyin Hall

Situated in the eastern wing of the temple, the Guanyin Hall stands 20.6 meters high and houses a majestic statue of the bodhisattva Guanyin, carved from a single piece of camphor wood. The hall’s yellow glazed-tile roof contrasts with the gray glazed tiles of the surrounding buildings, adding to its dignified appearance. The eastern wing’s two-level corridor connects seamlessly with the Mountain Gate, Bell Tower, and the Dharma Hall, creating a unified layout.

Guanyin Hall at Jing'an Temple with a statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin

Muni Hall

Located in the western wing, the Muni Hall, also 20.6 meters tall, enshrines a statue of the Buddha Muni carved from pure white jade. The hall’s yellow-tiled roof contrasts with the dark gray tiles of the western wing, creating a striking effect. This structure also has a two-level corridor, linking it to other significant areas such as the Mountain Gate, Bell Tower, and Dharma Hall.

Muni Hall at Jing'an Temple with a statue of the Muni Buddha

Mahavira Hall

The Mahavira Hall is a grand structure within Jing’an Temple, measuring 26 meters in height. Built with 46 meticulously carved teak pillars and over 3,000 cubic meters of wood, it is topped with a copper-tiled roof. Inside, a 15-ton solid silver statue of Shakyamuni Buddha stands as the hall’s focal point. The lower level includes a lecture hall that accommodates up to 1,000 people, and beneath it lies a 1,000-square-meter scripture repository intended to preserve 130,000 stone-carved sutras for future generations.

Flanking the Mahavira Hall are the eastern and western wings, connected by sculpted corridors with carved white marble lotus pillars. The eastern wing houses the Guanyin Hall, with a 6.2-meter-tall statue of Guanyin carved from a single piece of ancient camphor wood, while the western wing holds the Muni Hall, featuring a 3.87-meter-tall, 11-ton statue of Shakyamuni Buddha made from a single piece of Burmese white jade. At the center of the Mahavira Hall’s plaza stands the Fortune and Wisdom Cauldron, a newly cast, 10.23-meter-tall, 15.5-ton cauldron crafted from white bronze, resting on a 36-ton stone base. Inscribed on its side are teachings from Master Huiming, a notable monk who preserved the temple’s legacy.

Mahavira Hall at Jing'an Temple with Buddha statue and architectural details

Jing’an Pagoda

The seven-story Jing’an Pagoda occupies an 85-square-meter area and reflects the grandeur of ancient Chinese architectural styles. The tower’s bronze structure is plated with gold leaf, creating a luminous effect under the sunlight. Atop the Dharma Hall behind the Mahavira Hall lies the Golden Buddha Hall, designed in the style of the Song Dynasty with a copper roof and teak wood construction. Here, a two-ton solid gold statue of Shakyamuni Buddha stands as a testament to the temple’s spiritual and cultural significance. Nearby, the twin pavilions of Gratitude and Repayment, each 20 meters high, mirror the pagoda’s form and align symmetrically with the Bell and Drum Towers at the front of the temple.

Jing'an Pagoda with golden details and Song Dynasty style architecture

Guided Tours at Jing’an Temple

Jing’an Temple does not offer an official guided tour service due to its relatively compact size, making it easy for visitors to explore independently. For those seeking in-depth insights into the temple and nearby cultural sites, consider booking a one-day guided tour through an online travel agency. Many of these tours cover Jing’an Temple along with other Shanghai highlights like Yu Garden, Nanjing Road, and The Bund, providing a well-rounded experience of Shanghai’s cultural and historical treasures.

Praying for Peace at Jing’an Temple

Jing’an Temple is a beloved spot for traditional prayer and blessing rituals. Locals and visitors alike come here to make wishes and find peace. The process involves a few simple steps:

  • Lighting Incense: Incense is available near the burners for ¥10 per bundle. Following tradition, use your left hand to light the incense as a sign of respect.
  • Making a Wish: Stand in front of the main hall, close your eyes, and silently state your name, birth date, residence, and wish. Bow three times facing the hall, then proceed clockwise, bowing three times in each direction to symbolize completion.
  • Offering Coins: In the temple courtyard, the Fortune and Wisdom Cauldron serves as another place to make wishes. Visitors can bring coins or scan a QR code to exchange for coins on-site. Tossing a coin into the cauldron represents the fulfillment of one’s wishes.
incense burning ritual at Jing'an Temple in Shanghai

Nearby Dining Recommendations

Renheguan (Jing’an Temple Branch)

Renheguan (Jing’an Temple Branch)
  • Why I recommend it: Renheguan is a long-established Shanghainese restaurant with one Michelin star. Compared with regular Shanghainese restaurants, its value for money is fairly average, but for a Michelin-starred restaurant, the pricing is quite reasonable. I recommend the Signature Braised Pork Belly and Crab Roe Rice.
  • Address: 142 Yuyuan Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai (Apple Maps / Amap)
  • Opening Hours: Monday–Friday 11:00–14:00, 17:00–21:30; Saturday–Sunday 11:00–21:30
  • Average Cost: 142 CNY per person

Huxi Old Alley Noodle House (Jing’an Temple Branch)

Huxi Old Alley Noodle House (Jing’an Temple Branch)
  • Why I recommend it: A classic Shanghai-style noodle shop that almost always has a long queue. The flavors are typically Shanghainese—slightly sweet, rich, and deeply seasoned with dark soy sauce. The noodles have a nicely balanced texture, and the scallion-braised pork chop is the signature dish.
  • Address: 1738 Beijing West Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai (Apple Maps / Amap)
  • Opening Hours: Monday–Sunday 10:00–15:00, 16:00–20:30
  • Average Cost: 50 CNY per person

It’s recommended to stay around Nanjing West Road. From this area, getting to different parts of the city is very convenient, including the Bund, Yu Garden, Jing’an Temple, People’s Square, Tianzifang, and the former site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Nanjing West Road Metro Station is served by Line 2, which provides direct access to most popular attractions and all major transportation hubs. The surrounding area also offers a wide range of restaurants and dining options. More detailed hotel recommendations can be found at <Shanghai Hotel Recommendations>.

CitiGO Hotel Jing’an Shanghai

CitiGO Hotel Jing'an Shanghai

The hotel is located near the West Nanjing Road shopping district in Jing’an, within walking distance of shopping and dining areas such as HKRI Taikoo Hui, making it convenient for combining shopping, dining, and central Shanghai sightseeing. It is also close to locations related to U.S. Consulate visa services, while West Nanjing Road and the Shanghai Natural History Museum area are easy to reach. Overall, it is best suited to travelers who prioritize a central location, short stays, or business trips.

Rooms are generally compact and better suited to solo travelers or short stays, but cleanliness is consistent, the bedding is soft, and the shower water pressure is good. Breakfast is served until noon, and late-night snacks are also available, which is convenient for late arrivals or travelers with later schedules. The hotel also has a shared workspace, self-service laundry room, gym, and robot delivery, making it especially practical for business travelers and solo trips.

Ji Hotel (Shanghai People’s Square Nanjing Road)

Ji Hotel (Shanghai People's Square Nanjing Road)
  • Location: 9-minute walk from Huangpi South Road Metro Station, 10-minute walk from Nanjing West Road Metro Station
  • Price Range: 487 CNY
  • Check Rates: Trip.com Specials, Agoda Deals
  • Rating: Trip 9.3 / Agoda 9.2
  • Special Amenities: Laundry, robot room service, triple rooms

The hotel is located around People’s Square and Nanjing Road, with Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Museum, and People’s Park all within walking distance, while Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street is also easy to reach. There are plenty of restaurants, convenience stores, and other everyday amenities nearby, making it a practical base for museums, theater performances, and sightseeing around central Shanghai. Both South Huangpi Road and West Nanjing Road metro stations are within walking distance, providing convenient connections to other parts of the city.

Rooms are generally compact and practical, with limited space but all the basic amenities needed for a comfortable stay. Cleanliness and bedding are consistently reliable. Free washing and drying facilities are useful for longer stays or extended trips, and the hotel also offers robot delivery. With plenty of dining options nearby, it suits travelers who value location, transportation, and everyday convenience, while triple rooms are available for groups traveling together.

Taikoo Hui Atour X Hotel, Nanjing West Road, Shanghai

Taikoo Hui Atour X Hotel, Nanjing West Road, Shanghai
  • Location: 7-minute walk from Nanjing West Road Metro Station, 9-minute walk from the Shanghai Natural History Museum Metro Station
  • Price Range: 649 CNY
  • Check Rates: Trip.com Specials, Agoda Deals
  • Rating: Trip 9.5 / Agoda 9.4
  • Special Amenities: Laundry, robot room service, triple rooms, family rooms

The hotel is located in the heart of the West Nanjing Road shopping district, with shopping and dining destinations such as HKRI Taikoo Hui, Wujiang Road Food Street, and the Shanghai Starbucks Reserve Roastery nearby, making it especially convenient for travelers interested in shopping and food. West Nanjing Road Metro Station is a 7-minute walk away, and several metro lines provide easy connections to other parts of central Shanghai, including attractions such as the Shanghai Natural History Museum. The surrounding area is packed with shops and restaurants, making the hotel suitable for both family trips and itineraries focused on central Shanghai sightseeing.

Rooms are generally clean, with comfortable bedding and pillows, while the bathrooms and in-room facilities feel relatively well maintained and up to date. Breakfast offers a good range of choices, and evening snacks include congee, xiaolongbao, and side dishes. The hotel has a laundry room and robot delivery, as well as triple rooms and family rooms, making it a convenient choice for families or groups traveling together.

Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai

Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai
  • Location: 5-minute walk from Shaanxi South Road Metro Station, 12-minute walk from Nanjing West Road Metro Station
  • Price Range: 885 CNY
  • Check Rates: Trip.com Specials, Agoda Deals
  • Rating: Trip 9.4 / Agoda 9.1
  • Special Amenities: Triple rooms, family rooms, connecting rooms

The hotel is located near Huaihai Road, a 5-minute walk from South Shaanxi Road Metro Station, with Changle Road and numerous restaurants and small shops within easy walking distance. It features a large garden and historic architectural spaces, providing a relatively peaceful environment despite its central location. It is well suited to travelers who enjoy the atmosphere of old Shanghai, walking around the Huaihai Road area, and combining convenient transportation with a quieter setting.

The hotel’s public areas and garden are major highlights, with distinctive historic architecture, a spiral staircase, and landscaped grounds that also give families space to walk around within the property. Mattresses, pillows, and bedding are comfortable, and room cleanliness is consistently maintained, although the in-room facilities show their age more noticeably. Breakfast has a distinct Japanese influence, while the overall service style is attentive and traditional.

The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan

The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan
  • Location: 7-minute walk from Nanjing West Road Metro Station
  • Price Range: 1,639 CNY
  • Check Rates: Trip.com Specials, Agoda Deals
  • Rating: Trip 9.4 / Agoda 9.3
  • Special Amenities: Gym, swimming pool

The hotel is located in a prime area of Jing’an near West Nanjing Road, surrounded by a wide selection of shopping and dining options. Jing’an Temple, the West Nanjing Road shopping district, Shanghai Natural History Museum, and other central Shanghai destinations are convenient to reach. West Nanjing Road Metro Station is a 7-minute walk away, making the hotel a good choice for travelers who want to stay in central Shanghai while combining shopping, family travel, and city sightseeing.

Rooms are spacious and commonly feature walk-in closets, double vanities, and bathtubs. Higher floors offer better views, while the bedding is comfortable and soundproofing is generally reliable. The hotel has a more traditional luxury style, and although some facilities have been in use for some time, they are well maintained. Butler service is one of its key features, and the hotel also has a swimming pool and gym, along with a wide breakfast selection.

How to Get to Jing’an Temple

From Downtown Shanghai

Metro

Take Metro Line 2, Line 7, or Line 14 to Jing’an Temple Station. For the temple itself, Exit 1 is the simplest option; it is about a 60–70 meter walk to the temple entrance.

Bus

  • Jiaozhou Road Stop: Routes 21, 825
  • Meilinyuan Stop: Routes 37, 62, 562, 838
  • Anyilu Stop: Route 57

These bus stops are all located within a few minutes’ walk of the temple.

Taxi/Ride-Hailing

For those unfamiliar with Shanghai’s metro, taxis or ride-hailing services like Didi provide a straightforward option. Enter “Jing’an Temple” as your destination, and a short ride from downtown will bring you directly to the temple.

How to plan your Shanghai trip

Most first-timers spend 2–3 days in Shanghai for the highlights. Add a 3rd day for Shanghai Disneyland or a nearby water town. If you want the classic Jiangnan loop, plan 4–5 days to include Suzhou and Hangzhou. Here are our most popular private tour options:

FAQ

Is Jing’an Temple stroller-friendly?

The main areas of Jing’an Temple feature pathways and stairs, which may pose slight challenges for strollers. For families with young children, a baby carrier is recommended for easier access to various parts of the temple. If you need to bring a stroller, a lightweight, foldable one will be easier to maneuver, especially in crowded or stair-heavy areas.

Essential Shanghai Travel Resources