1-Day Tour of Jing’an Temple, Shanghai

🕐️DAY 1 Jing’an Temple One-Day Tour Guide

🚗Recommended Route

Morning
08:00 Arrive at Jing’an Temple (2/7 Metro Line Jing’an Temple Station Exit 1, 2-minute walk)
08:30-10:30 Visit the temple (focus on exploring the Fan Zhuang, the Silver Buddha statue in the Mahavira Hall, and the Bell and Drum Towers; reserve 1 hour for an in-depth visit)
Noon
11:00-12:30 Lunch (recommended vegetarian restaurant beside the temple "Ren Dao Vegetarian" or Jiuguang Department Store Food Court, average 50-80 RMB per person)
Afternoon
13:00-14:30 Jing’an Sculpture Park (free admission, enjoy the blend of modern art and nature)
15:00-16:30 Nanjing West Road Shopping District (check in at Zhangyuan Shikumen Architecture Complex, Jing’an Kerry Centre)
17:00 Return or extend to the Bund night view (15 minutes by metro)

⛱Must-See Attractions

1. Silver Buddha Statue in the Mahavira Hall
A 15-ton pure silver statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, with a three-dimensional mural on the back inlaid with gemstones and coral, rare nationwide.
2. Dharma Everlasting Fan Zhuang
An 18-meter tall Ashoka pillar-style structure, topped with four lion roar statues symbolizing the majesty of Buddhism, engraved with the full text of Su Shi’s "Diamond Sutra".
3. Bell Tower and Peace Bell
A 7.3-ton bronze bell, whose resonance lasts for 3 minutes after being struck; the base of the bell tower houses the "Sixth Spring Under Heaven" spring.
4. Jing’an Vegetarian Culture
The vegetarian noodle shop "Fuhuiyuan" beside the temple offers double mushroom noodles and assorted vegetarian noodles, about 30 RMB per person; during incense festivals, expect to queue in advance.

🏨Accommodation Recommendations

- Budget: Home Inn / Hanting (Nanjing West Road branch), 10-minute walk, about 300-400 RMB/night;
- Mid to High-end: Jing’an Shangri-La / PuLi Hotel, enjoy city skyline views, about 1200-2500 RMB/night;
- Unique Experience: Tianzifang Shikumen Guesthouse (15 minutes by metro), experience Haipai culture, about 500-800 RMB/night.

💰Overall Cost (per person)

- Admission: 50 RMB on weekdays, free during incense festivals (1st and 15th of lunar month);
- Transportation: Metro one-way 3-5 RMB, walking between attractions free;
- Food: Vegetarian meals 30-50 RMB, shopping district dining 80-120 RMB;
- Shopping: Jiuguang Department Store specialties / cultural products about 100-300 RMB.
Total: Basic version about 200-400 RMB, including mid to high-end accommodation about 1500-3000 RMB.

💡Other Tips

1. Reservations and Timing
Open 7:30-17:00, opens earlier at 6:00 on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month, avoid morning rush;
Public guided tours at 10:00 / 14:00, follow to learn details of Vajrayana architecture.
2. Visiting Notes
No eating, drinking, or photography inside the halls; walk clockwise around the Buddha, do not touch artifacts;
Incense tickets include three sticks, must be burned in designated areas to avoid burns.
3. Cultural Extensions
At night, photograph the temple’s golden roof contrasting with skyscraper lights; best spot is the Jing’an Park pedestrian bridge;
Nearby attractions: 2 km away is the site of the 2nd National Congress of the CCP (free), 4 km away is the Shanghai Natural History Museum (reservation required).

🌟Summary: A one-day tour allows a deep experience of the "Golden Roof Hidden Temple Amidst Prosperity" magic of Shanghai. Focus on religious art in the morning, blend modernity and history in the afternoon, perfect for cultural exploration and city strolling. Recommended to wear comfortable shoes, bring small change for donation boxes, and extend to the Bund at night for better views.