If you’ve been to Shanghai, you’ve probably walked down the Nanjing Road. It’s one of the city’s busiest streets, packed with gleaming skyscrapers, buzzing traffic, and endless shops. This boulevard captures the high-energy spirit of modern Shanghai.
However, tucked quietly amid all this noise and motion, there’s a place that feels like another world—Jing’an Temple.
This ancient temple stands like a wise old soul watching the world rush by. Originally built during the Chiwu era (赤乌年间) of the Three Kingdoms period (247 AD), it has survived wars, fires, and countless rebuilds. Yet today, it still shines with golden Buddha statues and towering pagodas. Its bell continues to ring, gently calming the restless minds of city dwellers.
More than just a temple, Jing’an Temple is a piece of living history. It’s one of the oldest spiritual landmarks in Shanghai, carrying the timeless essence of peace and mindfulness hinted at in its name—“Jing’an,” meaning “tranquility and peace.”
1. The Main Gate ( Shanmen ) to Jing’an Temple
I stepped out of Exit 1 at Jing’an Temple Station on Metro Line 2. As I turned around, there it was—Jing’an Temple, standing tall at 1686 West Nanjing Road. The first thing that caught my eye was the grand Shanmen 山门, or main gate. Facing south, this gate marks the entrance to the temple grounds.
It connects directly with the Hall of Heavenly Kings and follows the traditional design of bell and drum towers. Built using ancient Song Dynasty techniques, the gate rises 12 meters high and spans nearly 20 meters wide. The lower level is made of solid granite. Meanwhile, the upper level features classic wooden architecture with a hipped roof, covered in golden glazed tiles. All of it was crafted from fragrant teakwood.
Right beside the gate, I noticed something even more striking—an 18-meter-tall granite pillar known as The Stone Pillar of Brahma (梵幢). It weighs 160 tons and has a diameter of 2.1 meters. On one side, four bold Chinese characters read “The Dharma Will Last Forever. (正法久住)” On the back, I spotted a carving of the Diamond Sutra, written by the famous poet Su Shi.
Interestingly, the main gate stays closed. Visitors enter through the side gate. You’ll need to book a ticket in advance—50 yuan per person. Just scan a QR code or your ID card to get in.
2. Jing’an Temple Layout – A Hidden Sanctuary in the City
As soon as I entered through the side gate, I froze in awe. In front of me stretched a wide, open courtyard—the grand plaza between the Shanmen and the Main Hall. Surrounded by the chaos of West Nanjing Road, this peaceful, golden space felt like a secret the city had carefully hidden.
The layout follows a classic Chinese temple design, combining gates, halls, and corridors in harmony. Structures line up neatly along the central north-south axis. First comes the Shanmen, followed by the Bell and Drum Towers. Then, standing proudly at the center, is the Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿), or Daxiong Baodian. Further north, you’ll find the Dharma Hall and the elegant Jing’an Pagoda.
The central plaza is surprisingly spacious, giving the temple a grand and open feel. Around the courtyard, one- and two-story covered corridors connect each major structure. These corridors lead to the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and side halls.
To the west, the Shakyamuni Hall (牟尼殿) sits quietly in the western wing. To the east, the Guanyin Hall (观音殿) waits in the eastern wing. Each path leads you deeper into the temple’s quiet rhythm, like stepping gently into another time. Even in modern Shanghai, this layout invites you to slow down, look around, and breathe.
3. Mahavira Hall – The Beating Heart of the Jing’an Temple
Next, I walked straight toward the temple’s center—the Mahavira Hall 大雄宝殿 (Daxiong Baodian). This is Jing’an Temple’s main hall and its spiritual core. Built entirely of teakwood, the hall rises 26.71 meters high with a striking double-eaved copper roof that gleams under the sky.
Inside, 46 massive teak pillars hold up the structure. Each pillar measures between 0.72 and 0.8 meters in diameter. In total, the construction used over 3,000 cubic meters of teak—an incredible amount of wood. However, what truly stops you in your tracks is the giant silver Shakyamuni Buddha statue at the center. Weighing 15 tons, it shines with quiet power. The Buddha’s face radiates compassion and serenity. Instinctively, I found myself putting my hands together in silent respect.
Beneath the main floor lies a hidden treasure—the scripture vault. It holds 130,000 engraved stone sutras, a priceless collection of Buddhist texts and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, on either side of the hall, golden statues of the Eighteen Arhats line the walls. Each figure has a unique pose and expression. One smiles gently, another frowns in concentration. Some nap, others stretch long fingers or stroke flowing eyebrows. All feel incredibly lifelike.
Out of reverence, I chose not to photograph the Buddha directly. Instead, I admired the scene from the edge, letting the peace of the hall sink in.
4. Guanyin Hall – A Quiet Encounter with Compassion
After leaving the Mahavira Hall, I followed the corridor path clockwise around the plaza. My next stop was the Guanyin Hall （观音殿）, tucked inside the eastern wing of the temple.
This elegant hall, covered with yellow glazed tiles, sits quietly along the eastern side of the cloister. Though smaller in size, it holds something truly special—a towering 6.2-meter-tall statue of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
Carved from a single trunk of ancient camphor wood, this statue has a gentle presence that fills the room. The scent of the wood lingers faintly in the air, adding to the atmosphere of calm. Despite the temple’s grandeur outside, this hall feels deeply personal. You’re not just looking at a statue—you’re having a moment with kindness itself.
Once again, I paused—not just to admire, but to reflect. The space invites stillness. It reminds you that peace doesn’t have to be grand or loud. Sometimes, it’s found in a quiet corner, beside a centuries-old figure carved from a single tree.
5. The Bell Tower – Echoes of Peace Across Time
Next, I continued south along the covered corridor and climbed to the second level. On the eastern side, I reached the Bell Tower. Built in the style of the Song Dynasty, this two-story tower holds a powerful symbol of peace—a giant bronze bell.
The bell stands 3.3 meters tall and weighs 7.3 tons. Cast in bronze, it hangs quietly until struck. However, once it rings, the deep, resonant sound flows through the entire temple. The vibration feels like it moves through your chest, washing over your thoughts. In that moment, everything feels still—like your soul just exhaled.
Below the Bell Tower, I found another surprise. At the base is a spring called Yongquan （涌泉）, known as the “Sixth Best Spring Under Heaven.” During the restoration of the Bell and Drum Towers in 2001, workers rebuilt the well using 666 granite blocks. They also named it “Hidden Dragon Ancient Spring (潜龙古水）” honoring its quiet strength and long history.
Together, the bell and spring create a space of deep calm. One rings out to cleanse the mind. The other flows quietly below, a hidden source of life. Both remind us that even in a city as fast as Shanghai, moments of stillness still exist.
6. Second Floor of the Shanmen
Continuing my clockwise walk, I arrived back at the southern Shanmen, this time climbing up to its second floor. This upper level reveals even more of the temple’s elegance.
Built in traditional style, the second floor features a classic hipped roof with a single eave, all made from rich teakwood. The craftsmanship is both refined and solid, echoing the ancient techniques of Chinese wooden architecture.
Surrounding the corridor, white marble railings trace the edge in graceful lines. Above them, yellow glazed tiles shimmer in the sunlight. From a distance, the entire structure glows with golden brilliance—like a jewel set against the urban backdrop.
Standing there, I paused to look out. Below, the bustling world of West Nanjing Road hummed with life. But up here, it felt like I was watching the present from a piece of the past. The contrast made the silence even more powerful.
This second level isn’t just a balcony. It’s a bridge between times—between noise and stillness, between Shanghai’s future and its 1,700-year-old spiritual heart.
7. Drum Tower – Where the Ancient Meets the Modern
Next, I continued west along the second-floor corridor and soon arrived at the Drum Tower. Just like the Bell Tower, this one holds its own charm.
At the top sits a massive Taiping Drum, an old-style ceremonial drum symbolizing peace. The drum face stretches 3.38 meters across, and the drum stands 2.1 meters high. Covered in genuine cowhide, it looks both powerful and majestic. You can almost imagine the deep, thunderous sound it must produce when struck.
However, what surprised me most wasn’t the drum itself. Inside this centuries-old tower, I discovered the Exit 1 of Jing’an Temple Metro Station cleverly built into its base. Yes—the temple’s historic Drum Tower is also a subway entrance!
This seamless blend of old and new felt almost surreal. Ancient architecture and modern city life don’t usually cross paths so directly. But here, they do. And they do it beautifully.
It’s rare to find such a perfect fusion. One moment, you’re admiring a towering ancient drum. The next, you’re back on a subway platform beneath it. At Jing’an Temple, time doesn’t just pass—it folds into itself.
8. Shakyamuni Hall – Home of China’s Largest Jade Buddha
Continuing along the second-floor corridor, I reached the western wing, where the Shakyamuni Hall (牟尼殿) is located. This hall holds something truly extraordinary—a magnificent jade statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, known as the largest of its kind in China.
The statue sits tall and calm. It weighs an impressive 11 tons, stands 3.78 meters high, and spans 2.6 meters wide. In 1989, the revered abbot Master Zhenchan and lay Buddhist Jia Jinsong brought it all the way from Singapore. It was a generous gift from Singapore’s Buddhist community.
After its arrival, skilled artisans refined the statue using traditional Han-style Buddhist sculpting techniques. As a result, the Buddha’s form carries the grace and dignity of classic Chinese religious art.
The moment I stepped inside, I felt the quiet strength of the jade. The stone glowed softly in the filtered light, and the Buddha’s expression radiated peaceful wisdom. Additionally, the hall’s warm wooden tones made the scene feel even more serene.
This hidden gem in the western hall doesn’t just show off artistic skill—it reflects a shared devotion that spans borders and generations. It’s a meeting point of faith, craft, and cultural exchange.
9. Views from the Corridor – A Temple in the Sky
From the second-floor corridor, I took my time exploring the views. At each corner, I discovered a new angle—each one showing a different side of the temple and the city. Sometimes, I looked out and saw traditional roofs with yellow tiles. Other times, I faced towering glass skyscrapers just beyond the walls.
The contrast was striking. Jing’an Temple’s golden glazed tiles and bronze rooftops glowed warmly in the sunlight. Meanwhile, sleek office towers rose in the background. This visual clash of ancient and modern sparked the imagination. It was as if time folded into itself, right here in the center of Shanghai.
Looking down, I saw the main courtyard between the Shanmen and Mahavira Hall. Visitors lit incense, bowed deeply, and whispered prayers. The scene felt timeless—people seeking peace in a city that never stops moving.
At the center of the square stood the Fuhui Baoding (福慧宝鼎), or “Treasure Cauldron of Fortune and Wisdom.” Made of white bronze, this ancient-style vessel stands 10.23 meters tall and weighs 15.5 tons. It rests on a single massive slab of greenstone. On its side, you can read a personal inscription handwritten by Master Huiming.
From above, the temple breathes differently. It invites you not just to see, but to feel—where tradition, faith, and the city all meet.
10. The Dharma Hall – A Building of Mystery and Ritual
I continued along the corridor until I reached the Dharma Hall （法堂 ）, located directly north of the Mahavira Hall. The two buildings connect seamlessly, yet the Dharma Hall stands taller and more imposing.
This structure rises 32 meters high and spans seven floors, making it one of the most prominent buildings in the temple complex. Like the others, it’s built from rich teakwood and topped with glowing bronze tiles that shimmer under the sky.
Unlike the more open halls, the Dharma Hall feels deeply spiritual and mysterious. It serves as the main space for Vajrayana (Tantric) 密宗 Buddhist rituals, including sacred initiation ceremonies known as empowerments （灌顶仪式）.
11. Jing’an Pagoda – Reaching Toward the Sky
In the northwest corner of the temple grounds stands the majestic Jing’an Pagoda. It rises in perfect balance with the Brahma Pillar in the southeast, forming a spiritual harmony across the temple’s layout.
The pagoda follows a classic square pavilion style and stretches up seven floors. Though its base covers only 85 square meters, its total floor area reaches 952 square meters—a compact yet towering presence.
At its peak is the crowning jewel: a bronze-cast finial shaped like a Lotus Vajra Throne Stupa. This intricate design symbolizes purity and enlightenment. The entire pagoda soars to 63 meters, making it the tallest structure within the temple complex.
As I stood beneath it and looked up, the structure felt like a bridge between the earth and sky. The bronze shimmered faintly in the light, while its pointed tip seemed to disappear into the clouds. Unlike the bustling city just beyond the temple walls, the pagoda stood still—firm, silent, and timeless.
In a temple filled with history and spiritual power, the Jing’an Pagoda is the ultimate reminder to look upward, breathe deeply, and reconnect with something far beyond ourselves.
12. Jing’an Temple Travel Guide – What You Need to Know Before You Go
📍 Address:
1686 West Nanjing Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai 上海市静安区南京西路1686号
🕒 Opening Hours:
Typically open from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily.
Hours may vary slightly on holidays.
🎫 Admission:
Around 50 RMB per person, which includes an incense voucher.
🚇 Getting There:
Take Metro Line 2 and 7, get off at Jing’an Temple Station. Use Exit 1, and you’ll see the temple right in front of you.
✅ Travel Tips:
- Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be walking through courtyards and stairs.
- Be respectful—this is a sacred space, not just a tourist stop.
- Avoid loud conversations, especially in prayer halls.
- Do not use flash when taking photos. It can disturb worshippers and damage relics.
Jing’an Temple offers much more than a beautiful setting—it’s a place of peace, reflection, and history in the heart of a fast-paced city. Take your time. Soak it in. And let the stillness linger long after you’ve left.
