Longhua Temple, Shanghai
Longhua Temple (Longhua Si) is the largest and most active Buddhist temple in Shanghai. It is especially famous for its 10th-century, seven-story octagonal pagoda.
History
Longhua Temple is traditionally believed to have been founded around 247 AD by Sun Quán, the king of the Wú Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period. The pagoda dates from the 10th century. Due to fires and wars, most of the current temple buildings are fairly new.
What to See
Due to its age and fragility, the interior of the Longhua pagoda is not open to visitors. Outside, the pagoda is made of wood and brick and tiny bells hang in its delicate eaves.
Near the front entrance stands a three-story bell tower (Zhong Lóu), where a 3.3-ton bronze bell is rung at midnight every New Year's Eve (Dec 31-Jan 1). The tower's 3,000-kilogram (3.3-ton) bronze bell, cast in 1894, is struck 108 times to dispel all the worries said to be afflicting mankind. For a fee of ¥10 ($1.25), you can strike the bell, but for three times only.
The extensive temple grounds, on the north side of the newly created pedestrian street, are often crowded with incense-bearing supplicants. There are four main halls, which are only about 100 years old.
The most impressive of the four is the third hall, Dàxióng Bao Diàn (Grand Hall). where a gilded statue of Sakyamuni sits under a swirling red and gold carved dome. He is flanked on each side by 18 arhats (disciples). Behind him, Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, presides over a fascinating tableau representing the process of reincarnation: a boat in the bottom right corner indicates birth, while death awaits at the bottom left corner.
The monks gather here in the Grand Hall each day from 8 to 11 AM and from 1 to 3 PM to pray for souls of the deceased, whose photos top the altar. You can watch this moving ceremony from the sidelines.
The fourth hall, Sanshén Bao Diàn, features three incarnations of the Buddha. Behind the third and fourth halls is a simple, popular vegetarian restaurant (11am-2pm), as well as the Longhua Hotel and a room filled seven rows deep with small golden statues.
Near Longhua Temple is a stark memorial for the victims of a brutal 1927 massacre of civilians perpetuated by Chang Kai-Shek's men.
Every April is the Longhua Temple Fair, when the entire temple area is packed with stalls selling Chinese food, crafts and more. The temple is elaborately decorated for the occasion, and it is said that dragons visit the temple to grant people's wishes.
Quick Facts
| Location: | 2853 Longhua Lu, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China |
| Contact: | 021/6456-6085 or 021/6457-6327 |
| Hours: | Daily 7-4:30 |
| Cost: | ¥5 |
Sources
- Fodor's Beijing and Shanghai
- Frommer's Shanghai, 3rd ed.
More Information
- Travel China Guide - "Longhua Pagoda and Longhua Temple"
- What's on When - "Longhua Temple Fair"
Far left and far right photos licensed under GFDL. Center photo 
Marc van der Chijs.
