Cultural author visited these places: Jing’an Temple and the Bund, Shanghai. Published on 2021-11-24 at 16:56. Shu Shu once lived and worked in Shanghai for many years and, living in the Jing’an District, always saw the resplendent Jing’an Temple. In a highly developed metropolis like Shanghai, where every inch of land is worth its weight in gold and skyscrapers stand tall, the existence of such a temple must have an extremely special reason. We all know that temples are usually located in quiet places, and it’s not common to see them in bustling city centers. Today, around Jing’an Temple in Shanghai, there is a constant stream of traffic and noise. Although it’s not exactly a quiet place amidst the chaos, it is thriving with incense and a continuous stream of believers. Let’s look at the geographical location of Jing’an Temple: to the south it leads to Xujiahui, to the north to Caojiadu, to the west to the Hongqiao area, and to the east is the starting point of the ten-mile foreign field leading to the Bund. It is evident that Jing’an Temple is in the center of Shanghai, and it is this ancient temple that has been protecting Shanghai for a thousand years. The history of Jing’an Temple can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period. The name Jing’an Temple was changed to its current name in the first year of the Great Zhongxiang era of the Song Dynasty. The current Jing’an Temple was relocated from the banks of the Wusong River to the side of the Lu Pu Fei Jingbang during the Jiading nine years of the Southern Song Dynasty.It can be said that there was Jing’an Temple before the increasingly prosperous city of Shanghai. Throughout history, Jing’an Temple has experienced many disasters and was once completely destroyed. The resplendent Jing’an Temple we see today is a reconstruction on the original site and in the original form, costing a huge amount of money. Just the land value is worth 2.8 billion yuan, making it the most valuable temple in China. The resplendent Jing’an Temple has become a beautiful scenery in Shanghai.
The eight scenes of Jing’an are a topic of great interest, which are Chiwu Stele, Chen Dynasty Cypress, Lecture Platform, Shrimp Pond, Springing Well, Green Cloud Cave, Hu Du Lei, and Luzhi Ferry.
The overall layout of Jing’an Temple is a front temple and rear tower pattern, and the architectural style imitates the architectural style before the Ming Dynasty. There are three main buildings in the temple, namely the Mahavira Hall, the Heavenly Kings Hall, and the Hall of the Three Saints. From south to north, they are the mountain gate, bell tower, drum tower, Mahavira Hall, and Dharma Hall. Its mountain gate faces south and is combined with the Heavenly Kings Hall. In the base of the bell tower, there is a spring known as the ‘sixth spring in the world’, and above it hangs a peace bell weighing 7.3 tons. The Vajra pillar in front of the temple is its symbol, named ‘Zhengfa Jiuzhu Vajra Pillar’. Jing’an Temple houses many treasures handed down through the ages, such as the largest jade Buddha in China, which is 3.Jing’an Temple, a must-visit destination in Shanghai, stands 89 meters high and is enshrined in the Mahavira Hall. If you’re in town, don’t miss the opportunity to explore its rich history. The temple is home to a large bronze bell cast in the second year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1369). The inscription on the bell reads, “Cast in the second year of Hongwu, wishing the Crown Prince a long life,” a testament to its noble origins. For a mere 50 yuan, you can immerse yourself in 1700 years of history and listen to the ancient and mysterious stories of Shanghai.
While at Jing’an Temple, don’t forget to visit the Jing’an Temple Noodle House on the ground floor near the Jiuguang Department Store in the eastern wing. Here, you can taste the anciently renowned Jing’an Temple noodles, which include the Luohan noodles and the mushroom noodles, both embodying the ancient flavor of the temple.
Jing’an Temple is also a highlight of Shanghai’s night scene, appearing even more resplendent and splendid after dark. Will you make it a point to visit Jing’an Temple one day and experience its historical charm and culinary delights?
Related posts:
A Serene Three-Day Getaway with the Kids: A Journey through Time and Space
Afternoon Tea: An Oasis in the British Culinary Desert
Autumn Getaway with My Little One in the Magic City
Shanghai’s Most Underrated Travel Destination with a Hidden Gem Hotel Offering Breathtaking Sea Views
A Day in Shanghai During the Pandemic: January 29, 2020
Lazy Traveler’s Guide: A Comprehensive Travel Strategy for Food, Fun, and Shopping on a Cruise
