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CHINA | Shanghai, China Travel Guide
Thursday, February 20, 2025
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Nanjing Xi Lu & the Northwest
Nanjing Xi Lu & the Northwest
Although Nanjing Xi Lu is more about offices, shopping and upscale hotels than sightseeing, there are a few bits and pieces worth seeking out here. A mile north of Nanjing Xi Lu, the Jade Buddha Temple is one of Shanghai’s most visited sights and definitely worth a trip. subway line #2 runs under Nanjing Xi Lu, but for the Jade Buddha Temple you’re better off taking a taxi. Former Residence of Mao Zedong, 5-9, Lane 583, Weihai Lu. This traditional shikumen building housed Mao, his wife, their two sons and Mao’s mother-in-law on and off from 1924 and it contains a number of the Chairman’s letters and photos, along with some of the family’s everyday items. Although it remains a popular spot with domestic tourists, there is little of real significance or interest here and it doesn’t justify a special trip.
Jing’an Temple, 1686 Nanjing Xi Li. Forming a contrast with the surrounding cityscape, the traditional roofs of Jing’an Temple offer a pleasant diversion from the skyscrapers of Nanjing Xi Lu. Originally built during the Three Kingdoms period, the temple has been rebuilt a number of times and was completely flattened in the 1990s. What you see today is still incomplete and you may find the gray breezeblock interior a little disappointing. Despite this, Jing’an remains one of the city’s central places for ancestor worship and comes alive during festivals. Jing’an Park, opposite Jing’an Temple, Nanjing Xi Lu.
Jing’an Park makes a welcome break from the noise and bustle of the city. Located opposite the temple, the park has a number of pavilions, picnic areas and open green spaces.
Jade Buddha Temple, 170 Anfu Lu. This large and attractive temple in the northwest of Shanghai is well worth a taxi ride. Built as a monastery in 1882 using a Song dynasty style of architecture, the temple features symmetrical halls and courtyards with sweeping eaves. The temple was closed from 1949 to 1980 and managed to survive the terror of the Cultural Revolution by pasting portraits of Mao on the wall, an image that the Red Guards would not remove or destroy. The temple gets its name from the two jade Buddhas brought from Myanmar and housed in its halls. On the ground floor you’ll see the larger of the two Buddhas in reclining position, but the seated Buddha upstairs shows finer craftsmanship. If you think of jade as always being green, think again – both statues here are carved from white jade. Often thronging with tour groups, the temple is nevertheless an active one and, if you hang around long enough, you should get to witness the monks’ evocative chanting. The temple also has an excellent vegetarian restaurant.
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