Baoguo Temple in Qingpu: A Thousand-Year-Old Ginkgo Tree

For a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree, I came to this ancient temple in the suburbs of Shanghai, which is almost forgotten - Baoguo Temple in Qingpu!

Baoguo Temple was originally called Guandi Temple, commonly known as Guanwang Temple. It was built in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and has a long history. It is a unique place that integrates religion, history, culture, and natural landscapes.

When you step into Baoguo Temple, the first thing that catches your eye is the solemn and majestic architecture. The red walls and black tiles exude an ancient charm in the autumn sunlight. But what attracts my attention is the thousand-year-old ginkgo tree that I came for. The golden leaves are dazzling, and when they fall with the wind, they look like golden butterflies dancing, covering the ground like a golden carpet, forming a beautiful picture with the ancient temple buildings.

In addition to this thousand-year-old ginkgo tree, the natural environment around Baoguo Temple is also very beautiful. It is located by Dianshan Lake, and the lake scenery complements the temple.

💁Important cultural relics and landscapes
1⃣Thousand-year-old ginkgo tree:
Located in front of the Mahavira Hall, it is one of the eight existing thousand-year-old ginkgo trees in Shanghai. The tree circumference is nearly 6 meters, the height is 36.5 meters, the east-west crown diameter is 17 meters, and the tree age is over 1,000 years, making it the most famous ginkgo tree in Qingpu.
2⃣Stone sculptures of little monks:
Many stone sculptures of little monks are scattered throughout the temple, each with a different posture and lifelike appearance.
3⃣Stone tablet:
There is a stone tablet from the Chongzhen period in the temple, which is a testament to the long history of the temple.
4⃣Jade statues of Shakyamuni and Guanyin:
Donated by Buddhist believers from Singapore in 1990, they are enshrined in the Guanyin Hall.

📍Address: No. 452, Dianfeng Village, West Dianshan Lake, Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District

🚇Transportation: Take Metro Line 17 to Dongfang Green Boat Station, exit from Exit 3, and transfer to Bus 4 or 7 to get there.

💁Travel tips:
1⃣The temple is a religious place, so it is recommended to dress appropriately and avoid wearing revealing or strange clothes.
2⃣The temple and its surroundings are open, so it can be quite cold in winter. Please keep warm.
3⃣The etiquette for worshiping Buddha should be correct, and respect for religious beliefs and customs is important.