Ready to step back in time? Jing’an Temple awaits. This is not just a temple. It is a vibrant story etched in Shanghai’s heart.
Jing’an Temple’s story stretches back over 1700 years. Originally known as Hudu Chongyuan Temple, it stood as one of the city’s oldest Buddhist sanctuaries. Imagine it nestled by the old Wusong River now Suzhou Creek.
However, the river wasn’t always kind. A flood in 1216 forced the temple to relocate. It found a new home near Bubbling Well Creek. This is now 1686 Nanjing Road West.
Over time Jing’an Temple blossomed. It became a grand temple during the Yuan Dynasty. It boasted eight scenic spots. One was the Bubbling Well hailed as “the Sixth Spring of the Earth.” Though these spots faded they were later revived in Jing’an Park. A garden recreated the temple’s former glory.
Writers were drawn to Jing’an Temple. They captured its essence in poems. These poems became part of treasured collections. A. G. Hickmott described the Bubbling Well in 1923. He spoke of its muddy water and marsh gas.
Hickmott admired the temple’s cleanliness despite its lack of funds. He marveled at a golden Buddha. It sat upon lotus leaves. He noted the intricate carvings and beautiful brocades.
Monks chanted prayers filling the air with ancient sounds. Jing’an Temple became a hub for urban religious life. Its annual temple fair drew crowds. Villagers came to pray. They traded goods transforming the area into a bustling market.
During its peak in the 1920s and 1930s the fair spilled onto neighboring streets. Stalls lined Huashan Road Nanjing Road West and Yan’an Road West. The fair declined after 1937 eventually ending in 1963.
In 2000 Jing’an Temple underwent a large-scale renovation. It was completed in 2011. Today the temple covers 9705 square meters. It has 10 buildings. These include a bell tower a drum tower and a main hall.
The main hall stands 26 meters tall. It is built with teak wood columns and topped with copper tiles. A 15-ton silver Buddha statue graces the hall. The ground floor can hold 1000 people for ceremonies. A bibliotheca lies underground.
About 20 to 30 monks operate the temple. They welcome 1000 visitors daily including many foreigners. Jing’an Temple serves as a window for international Buddhist cultural exchange.
Once Jing’an Temple had a Buddhist school. It nurtured famous monks. Today it attracts professionals seeking to learn about Buddhism. The temple promotes physical and mental well-being. It supports charity work.
A replica of the Bubbling Well stands on the ground floor of the bell tower. Jing’an Temple offers serenity amidst the city’s hustle. It lives up to its name of repose purity and peace. Its history and beauty continue to inspire.
Jing’an Temple stands as a testament to time. It is a place where history spirituality and community intertwine. It is an unmissable stop on our Shanghai journey.