Jing’an Temple

Jing’an Temple stands on West Nanjing Road in downtown Shanghai, surrounded by modern glass skyscrapers and commercial centres. The temple traces its roots to the 3rd century during the Three Kingdoms period, when it was originally built along Suzhou Creek. It was relocated to its present location in 1216 during the Southern Song dynasty. Over the centuries, the complex was destroyed and rebuilt several times, served as a plastic factory during the Cultural Revolution, and was extensively reconstructed from the 1980s onward in Song dynasty architectural style.

The complex is notable for its teakwood halls built using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery and capped by golden copper tile roofs. In the open courtyard, visitors often burn incense and toss coins into a towering incense burner for good luck.

Inside the main hall sits a massive seated Buddha cast in pure silver, while the Guanyin Hall features a statue carved from camphor wood. The temple also houses historic relics, including a large bronze bell cast in the Ming dynasty. In the evening, the temple is illuminated with warm gold lighting, standing out dramatically against the surrounding city skyline.