Jing'an Temple

Overview

Located at the western end of Nanjing West Road in the Jing’an District of Shanghai, Jing’an Temple is one of the oldest and most famous Buddhist temples in Shanghai, with a history dating back over 1,750 years to the Three Kingdoms period (247 CE). Originally named Hudu Chongxuan Temple, it was renamed Jing’an Temple (meaning "Temple of Peace and Tranquility") in 1008 during the Song Dynasty, and moved to its current location in 1216. Destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history, the current temple complex was renovated in the 1980s and 1990s in the traditional Song Dynasty architectural style, covering an area of 20,000 square feet with three main halls, a pagoda, and multiple side halls. As the seat of the Shanghai Buddhist Association, it is an active Buddhist temple with resident monks, regular religious services, and major Buddhist festivals celebrated throughout the year. Surrounded by modern skyscrapers, luxury malls, and office buildings, the temple provides a peaceful, traditional contrast to the surrounding modern city, making it a popular destination for both religious pilgrims and tourists interested in Chinese culture and architecture.

Opening Hours

Jing’an Temple is open to the public daily from 08:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30. During major Buddhist festivals including the Lunar New Year, Lantern Festival, Buddha’s Birthday (8th day of the 4th lunar month), and the Mid-Autumn Festival, the temple extends its opening hours, sometimes opening as early as 05:00 for religious ceremonies, with special events running until 20:00. The temple may close temporarily for private religious events or maintenance work, with notifications posted on the official WeChat account at least 3 days in advance. Guided tours in Chinese are offered at 10:00 and 14:00 daily, departing from the main entrance, while English guided tours are available upon request for an additional fee. The vegetarian restaurant located inside the temple complex is open from 11:00 to 14:30 for lunch and 17:00 to 20:00 for dinner daily.

Ticket Price

Admission tickets for Jing’an Temple cost $7 per person, with discounted tickets at 50% off available for students with valid ID, seniors over 65 years old, and people with disabilities, while children under 3.2 feet tall enter for free. Tickets include three free incense sticks per visitor, available for collection at the entrance after purchasing your ticket. Additional incense sticks and religious offerings can be purchased inside the temple at prices ranging from $3 to $15, depending on the type. The vegetarian restaurant inside the temple operates separately, with meal prices ranging from $8 to $20 per person. Tickets can only be purchased on-site at the ticket booths at the main entrance on Nanjing West Road; advance booking is not required, though during major festivals, tickets may sell out quickly, so arriving early is recommended. Group tickets for 10 or more people are eligible for a 10% discount with prior reservation via the official temple office.

Transportation Guide

Jing’an Temple is conveniently located in central Shanghai, with excellent public transport connections. The most convenient way to get there is via metro: take Line 2 or Line 7 to Jing’an Temple Station, Exit 1, which is directly in front of the temple’s main entrance on Nanjing West Road, a 1-minute walk from the station exit. Bus routes 20, 37, 40, 57, 76, 104, 113, 138, 304, 323, 330, 824, 830, 838, 921, 927, and 939 all stop at Jing’an Temple, within 0.2 miles of the entrance. If driving, the nearest public parking garages are the underground parking lots at the Jing An Kerry Centre and HKRI Taikoo Hui malls, located 0.2 miles north and east of the temple respectively, charging $4 per hour. Parking near the temple is very limited, especially during festivals, so public transport is highly recommended. For visitors coming from Nanjing Road, you can walk west along Nanjing West Road for approximately 30 to 40 minutes to reach the temple, or take a 10-minute metro ride on Line 2 from Nanjing East Road Station to Jing’an Temple Station.

Core Highlights

Jing’an Temple’s architecture and cultural relics are its main attractions. The temple complex is built in the grand Song Dynasty style, with golden glazed tile roofs, red wooden pillars, and intricate wood carvings, creating a striking contrast against the surrounding modern skyscrapers. The main Mahavira Hall, located in the center of the complex, houses a 15-foot tall, 11-ton bronze statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, cast in 1989, as well as statues of the 18 Arhats on either side. To the east of the main hall is the Guanyin Hall, housing a 12-foot tall statue of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy) carved from a single piece of white jade, one of the largest jade Buddha statues in China. To the west is the Founder’s Hall, housing relics of the temple’s former abbots. The 7-story Jing’an Pagoda, located at the back of the complex, is 210 feet tall, with each floor housing Buddhist relics and scriptures, and offers views of the surrounding area from the top floor (open to visitors on weekends and holidays). The temple also houses a collection of precious cultural relics, including ancient Buddhist scriptures, calligraphy, and paintings from the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The best time to visit is on a weekday morning, when the temple is less crowded and you can experience the peaceful atmosphere and listen to the monks chanting during morning services. If you visit during major Buddhist festivals, you can experience traditional religious ceremonies, including incense offerings, lantern lighting, and chanting services, which are very grand and atmospheric. For photography, the best spots are the entrance gate with the golden roof and the Jing’an Pagoda against the background of modern skyscrapers, which creates a striking contrast between old and new Shanghai. Don’t miss the vegetarian restaurant inside the temple, which serves delicious, authentic Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, including famous dishes like luohan zhai (Buddha’s delight) and vegetarian dumplings.

Travel Tips

The recommended visit duration for Jing’an Temple is 1 to 1.5 hours, including time to explore all the halls and the pagoda. As this is an active religious site, please dress appropriately: avoid wearing sleeveless tops, short skirts, or shorts, and remove your hat when entering the halls. Keep noise levels down to respect the religious atmosphere, and do not touch or take photos of the Buddha statues without permission. Smoking and drinking alcohol are strictly prohibited inside the temple complex. If you plan to burn incense, follow the instructions of the temple staff and use the designated incense burning areas to avoid accidents. Note that during major festivals, especially the Lunar New Year, the temple can be extremely crowded, with long queues for entry, so arriving early in the morning is recommended if you plan to visit during these times. Nearby attractions include Nanjing West Road, 0.1 miles east of the temple, with luxury malls including Plaza 66 and Jing An Kerry Centre, Jing’an Park, adjacent to the temple on the west side, a beautiful public park with a lake and traditional pavilions, and the Former Residence of Zhou Enlai, 0.6 miles south of the temple. After visiting the temple, you can explore the surrounding Jing’an area, which has many trendy cafes, restaurants, and bars in the nearby alleys, or head to one of the malls for shopping and dining.