Discover the Historic Charm of Jing’an Temple in Shanghai

Hello everyone! I’m Michael Zhang, a Chinese travel enthusiast with extensive international experience. Over the years, I’ve been fascinated by exploring the rich cultural and historical backgrounds of destinations worldwide, always seeking to uncover deeper stories. Every journey for me is not just about the sights; it’s about connecting with the history that lives within each place. Today, I’ll guide you through the ancient Jing’an Temple, one of the oldest and most renowned temples in Shanghai. This thousand-year-old sanctuary is not only a place of worship but also a peaceful haven in the heart of Shanghai’s bustling metropolis.

About Jing’an Temple

Known as one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in Shanghai, Jing’an Temple, also referred to as “Jing’an Ancient Temple,” stands proudly in the city’s heart. Originally built in the early Song Dynasty, this temple boasts a history stretching nearly a thousand years. With its serene atmosphere, it serves as an ideal retreat for both spiritual seekers and tourists. Here, one can find a sense of tranquility amidst the city’s fast-paced life.

• ที่อยู่: 1686 ถนนหนานจิงตะวันตก, เขตจิงอัน, นครเซี่ยงไฮ้ (Apple Maps/Amap)
• เวลาทำการ: 7:30 น. – 17:00 น.
• ระยะเวลาที่แนะนำในการเยี่ยมชม: 1-2 ชั่วโมง
• ฤดูกาลที่ดีที่สุดในการเยี่ยมชม: ตลอดทั้งปี
• ราคาตั๋ว: 50 หยวน

Why Visit Jing’an Temple?

Jing’an Temple stands out not only for its staggering cost of construction, approximately 2.8 billion RMB, but also for its deep-rooted cultural significance. First built during the Three Kingdoms period, it has long provided a peaceful sanctuary amidst the hustle of modern Shanghai. The temple’s ambiance allows visitors to escape everyday stresses and connect with inner peace. Standing within its ancient halls, you can truly feel a sense of dialogue with history—a uniquely profound experience.

A Brief History of Jing’an Temple

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.

Things to Do at Jing’an Temple

Key Sights to Explore

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Temple Ticket Guide

Ticket Prices

• Standard Admission: ¥50 per person
• Free Admission: Children under 120 cm in height
• 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.

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.

Getting to Jing’an Temple from Downtown Shanghai

Metro

Take Metro Line 2 or Line 7 to Jing’an Temple Station. Exit through Gate 1 or 5 for a direct, convenient path to the temple.

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.

Nearby Dining Recommendations

• FINE FAN zakka&canteen (Shanghai X88 Branch)
  • Address: 58 Tongren Road, Jing’an District (8-minute walk from Jing’an Temple Station, Exit 8)
  • Highlights: Great atmosphere with a cozy ambiance

• Ren He Guan (Jing’an Temple Branch)
  • Address: 142 Yuyuan Road, Jing’an District (5-minute walk from Jing’an Temple Station, Exit 2)
  • Recommendation: Try the Yellow Croaker and Crab Meat Noodles—a personal favorite!
• KLAY Modern Indian Restaurant
  • Address: Near Jing’an Temple
  • Highlights: Authentic Indian cuisine with a lively atmosphere
• Huxi Laonongtang Noodle House (Jing’an Temple Branch)
  • Address: 1738 Beijing West Road, Jing’an District (10-minute walk from Jing’an Temple Station, Exit 1)
  • Highlights: Delicious noodles but expect a bit of a wait during peak hours

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.