What are Jing’an Temple’s opening hours and admission fee?

The temple commonly opens around 07:30 and closes between 17:00–18:00, with earlier openings (around 04:30) on major incense days; standard admission is about CNY 50, but holiday/incense-day pricing can be higher.

How do I get to Jing’an Temple by subway?

Take Shanghai Metro Line 2, Line 7, or Line 14 to Jing’an Temple Station and follow the signs up to the plaza for direct access to the complex.

What are the must-see spots inside the temple and how long should I plan to stay?

Highlights include the Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall with its 6.2 m camphor-wood Guanyin, the 3.8 m Jade Buddha, and the Hongwu bell; plan 60–90 minutes for a relaxed visit.

What is proper incense etiquette at Jing’an Temple?

Buy incense at designated counters, light and hold the sticks above your forehead, bow three times facing the main hall, place them in the burner, and step aside to let others offer.

Are there photography or accessibility considerations I should know?

Photography is generally allowed in open courtyards but avoid flash and respect no-photo signs inside halls; main courtyards are flat and paved while some upper galleries require stairs.

Jing’an Temple, Shanghai: a golden oasis in the city

Our day 2 in Shanghai started with Jing’an Temple (静安寺), a peaceful, golden oasis hugged by skyscrapers. Incense smoke drifted up, locals bowed with bundles of sticks, and the city noise melted to a hush. If you only visit one temple in Shanghai, this is a beautiful place to start: old Shanghai soul in the middle of West Nanjing Road’s modern rush.

What it is (and why it matters)

Jing’an Temple is one of Shanghai’s oldest religious sites, first built in 247 AD, later relocated here in 1216 during the Song dynasty. It was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, rebuilt and reopened to worship in 1983, and expanded again in the 2000s (the gilded Jing’an Pagoda was finished in 2010). Inside the complex you’ll find a 6.2 m camphor-wood Guanyin, the resonant Hongwu copper bell, and a 3.8 m sitting Jade Buddha often cited as the largest of its kind in China. History meets present-day devotion in a very real way here.

Where it sits (and how to get there, fast)

The temple sits right on West Nanjing Road above a major metro hub, Jing’an Temple Station. Take Line 2, Line 7, or Line 14 and follow the signs straight up to the plaza. It’s one of the easiest major sights in the city to reach by subway.

Address: 1686–1688 West Nanjing Rd, Jing’an District.

Tickets & hours (what to expect)

Admission: typically CNY 50 (holiday pricing can rise; Spring Festival/incense days may be higher).
Hours: commonly 07:30–17:00/18:00 (earlier opening, around 04:30 on major incense days, usually the 1st and 15th of each lunar month). Arrive early to avoid tour waves.

Tip: The golden roofs look gorgeous at dusk/night from the outside even after the inner halls close, worth a swing-by for photos on your way to dinner.

What to see (a simple loop that flows)

Plan for 60–90 minutes at an easy pace.

Mountain Gate & Courtyard
Step through for your first incense-and-gold moment; watch how locals move and mirror the calm.
Hall of Heavenly Kings → Mahavira Hall
The main axis of worship; pause to take in the scale and carvings.

Guanyin Hall
Home to the 6.2 m camphor-wood Guanyin on a lotus base, quiet and powerful.
Jade Buddha Hall
Holds the 3.8 m sitting Jade Buddha, a marquee treasure noted across multiple guides.
Bell & Drum / Relics & Galleries
Look for the Ming (Hongwu) bell and historical stone Buddhas tucked around upper levels.
Jing’an Pagoda (exterior views)
The newer pagoda crowns the complex, photogenic with the city skyline behind.

Incense etiquette (do it respectfully)

Buy incense from designated counters inside the temple.
Light, hold above your forehead, and bow three times facing the main hall; place sticks carefully in the burner.
Move aside so others can offer. Photography is usually fine in open courtyards; skip flash and signs that request no photos inside halls.

When to go (and how long to stay)

Mornings are calmest; weekdays trump weekends. Expect more visitors on lunar 1st/15th (incense days) and around Spring Festival. For most travelers, 1–2 hours is perfect before rolling into a café or lunch nearby.

Practical tips (so your visit stays smooth)

Payments: Tickets are straightforward; in Shanghai, WeChat Pay/Alipay are ubiquitous and work for many visitors with international cards linked, set them up before your trip.
Dress & behavior: Modest clothing, hats off inside halls, quiet voices, no climbing on railings.
Accessibility: Main courtyards are flat and paved; some upper galleries require stairs.
Pairing: This stop pairs naturally with a West Nanjing Road wander (malls/cafés) or a short metro hop to the Bund by evening.

A short, human history note

Jing’an Temple isn’t a relic, it’s a living place. Markets and fairs once grew up around its festivals, and century after century people came here to pray, trade, and rest their feet. That same rhythm still hums: office workers slip in on lunch breaks, grandparents teach kids how to bow, and travelers (hi, us) pause in the gold-and-cedar quiet before stepping back into the city’s tempo.

Need-to-know at a glance

Metro: Lines 2/7/14 → Jing’an Temple Station (follow temple exits).
Address: 1686–1688 W. Nanjing Rd, Jing’an.
Hours/Tickets: ~07:30–17:00(–18:00); CNY 50 standard; incense/holidays vary.
Highlights: Guanyin Hall, Mahavira Hall, Jade Buddha Hall, Hongwu Bell, Jing’an Pagoda.