Current visitor details
Hours, admission, booking and passport guidance below come from the Place record shared by city, itinerary and booking pages. Unverified or stale high-risk claims are not shown as facts.
Booking
Plan around on-site ticketing and confirm the live payment process. Dress and behave respectfully in this active worship space.
On site: Available at the entrance during opening hours.
Channels: On-site ticket purchase at entrance
Foreign passport
Foreign visitors commonly use the on-site sales channel, but current official material does not clearly state the document and payment procedure. Carry the original passport and allow time to confirm at the entrance.
Opening and last entry
Daily 07:30-17:00 (all year, no weekly closure day). On incense days (香期: 1st and 15th of lunar month, and Bodhisattva birthdays), opens earlier at 04:30. Last entry typically 30 minutes before closing.
Admission
50 RMB/person. Free entry on certain incense days (1st and 15th of lunar month, Bodhisattva birthdays), though during Lunar New Year period prices may be higher.
Visit planning
Allow: 45-90 minutes
Physical load: light
Enter from the south gate (Nanjing Road side), progress through the main halls (Hall of Heavenly Kings, Grand Hall, Hall of Guanyin), and exit from the north. The layout is compact and follows a standard Buddhist temple axis.
Getting there
Metro: Jing'an Temple Station (静安寺站) Lines 2, 7, and 14. The station exits are directly adjacent to the temple. From the Bund/Nanjing Road, take Line 2 west approximately 10 minutes.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: Main halls are at ground level; some halls have raised thresholds (a traditional Chinese temple feature). Steps between some courtyards may require assistance.
Why this place matters
Jing'an Temple was originally founded during the Three Kingdoms period (Wu kingdom, Chishi era, traditionally dated 247 CE), making it one of Shanghai's oldest temples. It was originally named Hudu Chongxuan Temple (沪渎重玄寺) and was located near Suzhou Creek; it moved to its current location in 1216 (Southern Song dynasty, Jiading 9). It was renamed Jing'an Temple in 1008 (Northern Song, Dazhong Xiangfu 1). The temple was listed as a National Key Buddhist Temple by the State Council in 1983. The current buildings are late-20th/21st-century reconstructions (the temple suffered damage during the Cultural Revolution and was rebuilt/renovated in the 1980s-2000s).
What to notice
- The gold roof tiles — a distinctive feature of Jing'an Temple, making it instantly recognizable against the glass and steel of West Nanjing Road.
- The silver Buddha statue in the Grand Hall — a large seated Buddha, a major devotional focus.
- Active worship — worshippers lighting incense, prostrating, and making offerings. This is a functioning religious space; behave respectfully.
- The contrast between the temple and its surroundings — exiting the south gate puts you directly onto bustling West Nanjing Road with the Jing'an Kerry Centre and Reel Mall across the street.
- The temple is directly above Jing'an Temple metro station — note the integration of the historic temple with the modern transit system.
- Photography rules vary; some halls prohibit photography. Observe posted signs.