Huajing Ningguo Temple

Huajing Ningguo Temple

Huajing Ningguo Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Ningguo Temple is one of the ancient and well-known temples in Shanghai, boasting a history of more than 800 years. Its original location was east of Zhanghanglang in Beiyang Village, Huajing Town. It is said to have been built in the first year of the Longxing era of the Song Dynasty (1163 AD), initiated by Zhang Baiwu, the richest man in Wuni Jing, and presided over by Monk Changmu. In the second year of the Qiandao era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1166 AD), the temple received its official name and stood facing Longhua Temple from the north.

Ningguo Temple is one of the most renowned ancient temples in Shanghai, with a history of over 800 years. According to the Songjiang Prefecture Records from the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty: “Ningguo Temple was first built in the first year of the Longxing era of the Song Dynasty (1163 AD), funded by the local magnate Zhang Baiwu of Wu Jing, and presided over by Monk Changmu. In the second year of the Qiandao era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1166 AD), the temple received its plaque. ‘The temple is situated on the sunny side of Wu Jing at Huashang, at the boundary between two counties (Huating County and Shanghai County), and stands facing Longhua Temple from the north. In front of the hall are four podocarpus trees, their branches and trunks towering, ancient and solemn, likely three to four hundred years old.’ The temple integrates the essence of Chinese Buddhist architecture, combining halls, chambers, corridors into one, presenting a solemn, sacred, majestic, and grand sight. Devotees from near and far come to burn incense and worship, resulting in an atmosphere filled with smoke all day long. The incense offerings were extremely prosperous.”

Historical Evolution

In the 16th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1383 AD), the temple was rebuilt and was once renamed as “Guanyin Chan Temple.”

In the 6th year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1626 AD), Zhang Suowang renovated it and relocated the site to Zhangjiabang. There were four podocarpus trees in front of the hall.

The Qing Dynasty’s Songjiang Records described it as: “Its branches and trunks stand upright, ancient and solemn, likely three to four hundred years old.”

During the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, the temple was destroyed by fire. The Tongzhi-era Shanghai County Records stated: “Now only the Guanyin Hall remains.”

In the 9th year of the Republic of China (1920 AD), Monk Changde took charge of the temple. Peach trees were extensively planted around the temple grounds, and it was named “Xilai Garden.” It is said there were 5,048 rooms, including four podocarpus trees that were several hundred years old.

In April 1949, just before the liberation of Shanghai, the temple was damaged by the Kuomintang army.

In 1958, the temple was completely destroyed.

By 1969, the ruins had been leveled and turned into arable land.

In 2007, the reconstruction of Ningguo Temple was approved.

On April 17, 2010, with strong support from municipal and district authorities as well as religious organizations, the foundation-laying ceremony for the reconstruction of Ningguo Temple was grandly held. The newly built Ningguo Temple is located within Huajing Park in the Xuhui Ecological Green Space. The temple covers an area of 7,800 square meters, with a total construction area of 7,016 square meters. This includes 2,285 square meters for Buddha and Bodhisattva halls, 1,519 square meters for scripture halls, Dharma halls, merit halls, and 3,212 square meters for other office and auxiliary facilities. The architectural style follows the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the main hall situated along the central axis. The Heavenly King Hall and Guanyin Hall feature hip-and-gable roofs, the Mahavira Hall has a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, while the scripture depository and adjacent buildings have flush gable roofs. The overall layout is higher in the north and lower in the south. With Ningguo Temple at its center, it will better integrate the historical and cultural landscapes of Huajing into a cohesive whole.

Address and Transportation

Address: No. 858, Huajing Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai

Transportation: By car: Near Huajing Park, drive north along Longwu Road, turn right onto Huajing Road, and you will arrive near Changhua Road.

By bus: Routes 714, 731, 770, 804, 958, 1210, and the Shangfeng Special Line