Jing’an Temple. Shanghai

Chinese name: 上海静安寺
Add: No. 1686 Nanjing West Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai (上海市静安区南京西路1686号)
Ticket: 50 RMB
Opening Time:07:30-17:00 (January 1st-December 31st Monday-Sunday)
Tel: 021-62566366
Official Website: http://www.shjas.org/
Recommended travel Time：1-3 Hour

Jing’an Temple. Shanghai

The architectural style

Jing’an Temple is located in the bustling Jing’an business district in Shanghai, with convenient transportation. There are many high-rise buildings around, forming a sharp contrast with the Qingxiu temples. The architectural style of the temple is integrated with Tibetan temples. The silver Buddha enshrined in the Daxiong Hall weighs 15 tons, and the Jade Buddha in the Muni Hall is much larger than the Jade Buddha in the Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple.

engraved pillar

Before entering the temple gate, you can see the tall pillar in front of the temple “Zhengfa has lived for a long time”. The four characters “Zhengfa has lived for a long time” are engraved on the front of the pillar, and a “Diamond Sutra” written by Su Shi is engraved on the back. The four-faced lion roar is modeled after the Ashoka Pillar in Sarnath in northern India.

halls layout

After entering the temple gate, there is a large square square, in which there is a large incense burner made of 15 tons of cupronickel. The main halls of other temples are mostly on the central axis, while the halls dedicated to Bodhisattvas in Jing’an Temple are connected to the rooms where monks do their homework. They surround the square and have two floors. Go upstairs to visit the second floor.

On the right side of the first floor

On the right side of the first floor is the Guanyin Hall, which contains a 6.2-meter-high single-wood Avalokitesvara statue of a thousand-year-old camphor tree. In the west wing on the left, there is the Muni Hall, which houses the 3.87-meter-high Sakyamuni Jade Buddha. This Jade Buddha is much larger than the “Treasure of the Temple” in Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple. The only option is to tear down the gate wall of the temple.

On the northwest corner of the first floor

On the northwest corner of the first floor is the Jing’an Pagoda. The top of the pagoda is decorated with one large, four small and five Tibetan-style four-sided pagodas. There are 868 Buddha statues and many Tantric treasures enshrined in the pagoda. However, this pagoda is generally not allowed to enter. Can look outside. Jing’an Temple was originally the Han Dynasty Xianzong. Under the abbot Master Chisong, it gradually tended to Tibetan Buddhism Esoteric Buddhism. Therefore, the architectural style is also a combination of Han and Tibetan. The Jing’an Buddhist Pagoda and the temple outside the temple are written with “The Dharma has lived for a long time” in Tibetan style. The style is very obvious.

The south side of the second floor

The south side of the second floor is the mountain gate, and the second floor is the Tianwang Hall. The left and right sides of the Tianwang Hall are the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower. Unfortunately, the doors are usually not opened. You can only look at the huge red drum and bell from the window or the crack of the door. There are many rooms on the east and west sides of the second floor where monks can be seen doing their homework, so don’t bother them. On the north side of the second floor, that is, on the first floor is the upper floor of the main hall used for preaching the Dharma. It is the Daxiong Hall. In the hall, there is a Buddha statue made of 15 tons of silver. Emeralds, pearls, etc., are collaged according to the color of the Buddhist scriptures, and the four surrounding lotus petal-shaped frames are all pasted with gold foil.

lion roar statues

The halls of Jing’an Temple are roofed with copper tiles, and the four-sided lion roar statues on the high pillars in front of the gate are golden.

Jing’an Temple Video

Jing’an Temple Photo

Things To Do

1.Visit the Temple

2.Shop at Jingan Kerry Centre

This is a large shopping mall located near the temple, featuring luxury brands and international restaurants.

3.Visit the Shanghai Natural History Museum

This museum is located nearby and features exhibits on natural history and science, including dinosaur skeletons and interactive exhibits

4.Wander around the neighborhood

The Jingan Temple neighborhood is a vibrant and bustling area, full of shops, restaurants, and historic buildings.
Take a stroll around the streets and alleys, and explore the local sights and sounds.

5.Take a food tour

Jingan Temple area has plenty of restaurants and street food vendors to explore.
Take a food tour to try out local specialties like xiaolongbao and shengjianbao.

6.Visit art galleries:

The area is also home to several art galleries, including the K11 Art Mall, which features contemporary Chinese art exhibitions and installations.

Jing’an Temple Tourist Map

Jing’an Temple Travel Guide

Must See Tips:

Jing’an Temple is full of incense, and every Bodhisattva’s birthday and anniversary, the temple will hold activities. There are also Buddhist activities such as the forum of eminent monks, and the specific activities and time will be posted on the bulletin board next to the temple gate.
There is a vegetarian restaurant next to the Jing’an Pagoda. The vegetarian assorted noodles and double mushroom noodles are both good.
After entering the gate of Jing’an Temple, there is a place to get incense on the right hand side. Take it yourself. The incense fee is 5 yuan, and you can give it as you like.