Jade Buddha Temple of Shanghai

Rating:
4.64 out of 5
;
Updated:
Sep. 28, 2009;
by:
China Highlights;
Reviews:
158;
Clicks:
2397

The magnificient appearance of Jade Buddha Temple

The magnificient appearance of Jade Buddha Temple

Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai is an active temple, with 70 resident monks at the last count. The 70 monks who live and work there can sometimes be seen worshiping.

The temple was built between 1911 and 1918 in the style of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), with symmetrical halls and courtyards, upturned eaves, and bright yellow walls. The exterior is readily identifiable by the bright saffron walls.

Inside, the centerpiece is a 1.9-meter-high white jade Buddha, which was installed here after a monk brought it from Burma to Zhejiang Province in 1882. The seated Buddha, encrusted with jewels, is said to weigh about one thousand kilograms. A smaller, reclining Buddha from the same shipment lies on a redwood bed. In the large hall are three gold-plated Buddhas, and other halls house ferocious-looking deities. Artifacts abound, not all on display, and some 7,000 Buddhist sutras line the walls.

Note: No photography of the Jade Buddha is permitted, but postcards are on sale and photography is allowed in the other rooms.

Alongside the temple is a branch of the Antiques and Curio Store, which sells miniature sandalwood drums and gongs, replicas of the large ones used in ceremonies. A vegetarian restaurant can be found on the temple grounds.

Previous Customers' Reviews on Jade Buddha Temple of Shanghai:

Alan Royce

2010-2-17

beautiful

Phillipa Jane

2010-1-31

very beautiful

Eva Marie

2009-12-20

Wonderfull,Buddha's day celebration was fasinating.

See All 158 Reviews »

Wirte Your Review

Further Reading:

Search a Tour
Beijing Shanghai
Xian Guilin
Lhasa, Tibet Yangtze River
Select more cities

Customize Shanghai Tour