Set among the streets of Shanghai’s Putuo District, the Jade Buddha Temple is an active Buddhist monastery as well as one of the city’s best-known religious landmarks. Incense drifts through its courtyards, where visitors pass worshippers and monks on their way between richly decorated halls.
The temple traces its origins to the late 19th century, when the monk Huigen brought jade Buddha statues to Shanghai from Burma, now Myanmar. The present complex was completed in 1928. Its most celebrated image is the seated Buddha, carved from pale jade and housed in an upper hall; a reclining jade Buddha can also be seen within the temple.
A visit offers a glimpse of Buddhist practice amid the bustle of contemporary Shanghai, along with intricate statues and traditional temple architecture. Go in the morning for a quieter experience, dress respectfully, and give worshippers space. Check current opening hours and photography rules before visiting, as access to individual halls may vary.