8 Best Temples in Shanghai

The Longhua Temple and Pagoda is a large, ancient Buddhist temple complex with a 40-metre-tall wood and brick pagoda. The original temple was built in the 3rd century during the Three Kingdoms period to house Śarīraḥ relics, said to be part of the cremated remains of the Buddha. It has been destroyed and rebuilt various times but retained the style of the Song dynasty and is one of the best-preserved temples in Shanghai. 

The Longhua Temple is a tranquil retreat from the bustling city outside. Time seems to slow in the temple grounds amid the sounds of Buddhist monks chanting as the scent of incense wafts through the air. Good vegetarian food is available onsite. 

The Jade Buddha Temple is an important Buddhist temple particularly famed for 2 of its statues. One is a 1.8-metre-tall standing jade buddha, the other is reclined and 91 cm long. Both statues are encrusted with precious gems, making them a true sight to behold. The temple has numerous other statues made of jade, gold and marble, including the Four Heavenly Kings protecting the 4 cardinal directions. 

The atmospheric temple was built in 1882 but in the traditional style of the ancient Song Dynasty with its characteristic double eave roofs. The temple is active with monks living there but many of its halls are open to the public and serve tasty vegetarian food too. 

Jing’an Temple is a Buddhist temple with glimmering golden roofs surrounded by skyscrapers in Shanghai's bustling Jing’an district. One of Shanghai’s oldest temples, it was originally built in 247 AD during the Song dynasty and relocated to the Jing’an district in 1216. It was destroyed by fire in 1972 and rebuilt and restored to its original style.  

But it remains an architectural gem and a serene escape from the hectic city outside. Check out the paintings and calligraphy by Yangzhou's Eight Eccentric Painters, an enormous jade sitting Buddha and China’s largest jade portrait of Sakyamuni, or Buddha. 

The Confucius Temple, or Wen Miao, is the only temple dedicated to Confucius in central Shanghai. The original temple was built in 1296, when China was under Mongol rule, and destroyed and rebuilt on the current site in 1855 in traditional Chinese architectural style.

The charming temple has several halls and dedicatory spaces, three tranquil courtyards and a picturesque reflection pond and gardens with ancient trees. You’ll see a camphorwood carving of the Great Sage and replicas of the Analects, his sayings and ideas. Visit the teapot museum and experience a tea ceremony where expert guides share tea-brewing techniques and offer tastings of various blends

City God Temple (Chenghuang Miao) is a beautiful Taoist temple in a busy shopping and food district of Shanghai. Built in the 15th century during the Ming Dynasty, the temple was destroyed by war and restored to its original style in 1994. The large complex now covers some 2000 square metres and has 9 halls surrounded by gardens and ponds.  

City God Temple sits next to the famous Yu Garden. These extensive classical Chinese gardens were also built by the Ming Dynasty in 1559 and are a major attraction in Shanghai. If you plan to eat in the area, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Stop by one of its renowned restaurants and varied street food options.

Xiahai Temple is a quiet and secluded temple in Shanghai that’s easy to access near Tilanqiao metro station. It was originally dedicated to Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess, and used by fishermen and sailors who would go there to pray for safety at sea. The temple became a Buddhist monastery in the late Qing Dynasty.  

Now Xiahai Temple is a tranquil retreat in central Shanghai near the Jewish Refugee Museum, with an immaculate garden and pond brimming with koi carp which you are allowed to hand-feed. If you’re feeling peckish, check out the small café which serves excellent food.     

Donglin Temple is in the Jinshan District in the outskirts of Shanghai. It takes an hour to get there by metro, bus and walking, but its bold features warrant the trip. The temple dates to 1308 during the Yuan Dynasty but was destroyed many times. It’s now mostly a new interpretation of the older temple style.   

Donglin Temple has impressive 20-metre-high bronze doors studded with 999 mini relief statues of buddha. The main hall houses a 27-metre statue of the thousand-armed Guanyin, goddess of mercy. Point your camera at the central focus of the courtyard, the 5.4-metre-tall statue of Sudhana, the Child of Wealth. Throw a coin into one of its 8 open mouthed fish statues for good luck.  

Zhenru Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple designated a Major National Historical and Cultural Site in Shanghai. It’s a well-preserved temple first built during the Song dynasty with additions and rebuilds in the Yuan and Ming dynasties.  

Zhenru Temple is a beautiful and very well-maintained temple. Its immaculate gardens feature bonsais, a koi pond and interesting monuments, and you can enter and explore various buildings. The atmosphere at this temple complex is one of calm. It’s a delight to wander around and explore or just sit and reflect. You might hear the monks chanting in the halls. If you’re hungry, refuel at the café in the second hall.