Qinglong Temple

What whispers echo from the ancient stones of Qinglong Temple? Here in Shanghai’s Qingpu District, the story of Qinglong Temple begins not with dragons, but with a bustling port. This was Qinglong Town, a vital trading hub during the Tang and Song Dynasties. Imagine a port teeming with merchants, ships sailing in from as far as Japan, Silla, and Quang Nam. This vibrant commerce birthed the temple, a place of serenity amidst the clamor. Qinglong Temple in Shanghai, while less famous than its Xi’an counterpart, holds a rich history. It dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Its architecture is simple, yet elegant. The Buddha statues inside exude a solemn tranquility. Qinglong Temple stood as a quiet testament to the town’s prosperity. Poets like Mei Yaochen described a town of 36 residential blocks and tens of thousands of households. The famous calligrapher Mi Fu even served as a supervisor of Qinglong Town, further solidifying its cultural importance. While the bustling port has faded, Qinglong Temple endures. The Shanghai Museum conducted excavations from 2010 to 2016, uncovering remnants of this forgotten port city. They found the Longping Temple pagoda, house foundations, workshops, and even piles of ceramics, testament to a thriving past. These discoveries offer a precious glimpse into Shanghai’s urban history. Qinglong Temple stands as a tangible link to a time when Shanghai was a crucial point on the Maritime Silk Road. It’s a quiet reminder of the vibrant life that once flourished here, a story whispered through centuries in the stones of Qinglong Temple.