Longhua Temple: Shanghai’s Oldest & Most Majestic Buddhist Sanctuary** 🌸🏯

#holidayitinerary
Step into **Longhua Temple**, a 1,700-year-old spiritual oasis in Shanghai where history, architecture, and Buddhist traditions converge. As the city’s **oldest and largest Buddhist temple**, it dazzles with its iconic pagoda, serene gardens, and vibrant festivals. Here’s your ultimate guide to exploring this cultural gem!

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## **Why Visit Longhua Temple?**
✅ **Ancient Legacy**: Founded in **242 AD** during the Three Kingdoms period, it’s Shanghai’s sole surviving pre-modern pagoda and a masterpiece of **Song Dynasty Chan Buddhist architecture** .
✅ **Iconic Pagoda**: The **40.4m-tall Longhua Pagoda** (977 AD) features seven tiers with wind chimes and octagonal eaves—though closed to climbing, it’s a photogenic landmark .
✅ **Sacred Art**: Discover **500 golden Luohan statues**, a **5-ton Ming Dynasty bell**, and intricate carvings of Guanyin in the Mahavira Hall .
✅ **Festivals & Rituals**: Experience the **Longhua Temple Fair** (March/April) with peach blossoms and dragon dances, or the **New Year’s Eve bell-ringing ceremony** .

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## **Must-See Highlights**
### **1. The Five Halls**
- **Maitreya Hall**: Home to the laughing "Budai Monk" statue, symbolizing joy and abundance .
- **Heavenly Kings Hall**: Guarded by the **Four Heavenly Kings**, with a majestic statue of Maitreya Buddha .
- **Mahavira Hall**: The main hall houses **Shakyamuni Buddha**, 20 guardian deities, and a 16th-century bell .
- **Three Sages Hall**: Features Amitabha Buddha and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva .
- **Abbot’s Hall**: Used for lectures and ceremonies .

### **2. Longhua Pagoda**
- A **Song Dynasty relic** with hollow brick cores and wooden balconies—once Shanghai’s tallest structure .
- Featured in *Empire of the Sun* as a WWII flak tower .

### **3. Bell & Drum Towers**
- Strike the **1382 copper bell** (5 tons!) for New Year blessings .

### **4. Temple Fair & Peach Blossoms**
- Held on the **3rd day of the 3rd lunar month**, blending rituals with vibrant markets .

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## **Visitor Essentials**
📍 **Location**: 2853 Longhua Road, Xuhui District .
⏰ **Hours**: 7:00 AM–4:30 PM (6:00 AM on lunar 1st/15th) .
🎫 **Admission**: **Free** (incense sticks for ₩3–20) .
🚇 **Transport**: Metro Line 11/12 to Longhua Station (Exit 4) .

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## **Pro Tips**
- **Best Time to Visit**: Early mornings or weekdays to avoid crowds; spring for peach blossoms .
- **Incense Offering**: Circle the pagoda **3 times clockwise** while making a wish .
- **Vegetarian Eats**: Try the temple’s **Luohan noodles** (₩15 with free refills) .
- **Nearby**: Pair with **Longhua Martyrs’ Cemetery** for historical depth .

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### **Legends & Lore**
The temple’s name derives from a dragon (*long*) said to have appeared here, while its pagoda allegedly houses **Buddha’s relics** gifted to King Sun Quan .