Jing'an Temple

Jing'an Temple — the 'Temple of Peace and Tranquillity' — is one of Shanghai's oldest and most striking Buddhist monasteries. Its origins reach back more than 1,700 years, though the present halls were rebuilt in a bold golden-roofed style after the 1990s. The contrast is the whole point: burnished temple eaves and a gilded pagoda sit directly beneath glass-and-steel skyscrapers, a single frame that captures Shanghai's collision of the ancient and the hyper-modern.

What to see

The temple follows a classic courtyard layout. The Mahavira Hall houses a silver Buddha said to be among the largest in the country, while the Hall of the Buddha of the Heavenly King and a soaring gilded pagoda anchor the complex. A massive bronze incense burner stands in the central courtyard, usually wreathed in smoke from worshippers' offerings. The architecture borrows from Song-dynasty palace style, with heavy timber brackets, vermilion columns and roofs sheathed in copper that gleams in sunlight — making this one of the city's most photogenic temples.

Opening hours

The temple is generally open daily from about 07:30 to 17:00. Mornings are quietest and best for photography before tour groups arrive.

Tickets

Admission is modest, around ¥50 per adult; some Buddhist festival days are free or busier than usual. Carry small cash or use a mobile payment, and dress respectfully as this is an active place of worship.

Getting there

The temple sits directly above Jing'an Temple metro station (Lines 2, 7 and 14) — take the signposted exit and you emerge at the gate. It's an easy add-on to a walk along West Nanjing Road's shopping and café district.

Best time to visit

Visit on a clear morning when low sun lights the copper roofs and the contrast with the surrounding towers is sharpest. Spring and autumn are most comfortable; Buddhist holidays bring crowds of worshippers but also the temple at its liveliest.