Yuanjin Chan Temple

Yuanjin Chan Temple

Yuanjin Chan Temple, one of the Twelve Scenic Spots of Qinghua Pavilion, was built during the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty. Located by the Cao Port River, the temple houses a statue of the Goddess of Chenzhou, hence it is also known as the “Goddess Temple.” The current Yuanjin Chan Temple is a later reconstruction. Though the entrance is small, stepping inside reveals a world of tranquility. Though situated right by the street, the temple remains quiet, simple, and classic in style. The layout within is compact, with not many Buddha statues, but those that are present are exquisitely carved, gleaming brilliantly, and radiate solemn dignity. At the rear of the temple grounds lies the renowned Qinghua Pavilion. It was not only a treasured place for scholars and literati to store calligraphy and paintings, but also boasted a beautiful environment. Climbing to the top of the pavilion offers sweeping views of the picturesque scenery of Zhuxi.

Historically, the temple served as an important repository for cultural relics. Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, it attracted numerous literati and scholars, becoming a gathering place for intellectuals of those eras. Unfortunately, many of the precious relics were either destroyed during wartime or stolen and sold off by corrupt monks. By the late 1940s, few treasures remained, and most were later taken over by the Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Management Committee and are now housed in the Jiangsu Provincial Museum and Suzhou Museum, with a few preserved in the Qingpu County Museum. In the early 1950s, the temple was demolished. Today, only a few stone steles remain as relics of the temple, including the “Record of the Reconstruction of Qinghua Pavilion” written by Wang Chang, the “Inscription of the Zhenhua Elder’s Pagoda,” and the “Record of the Reconstruction of the Main Hall” written by Shen Guangying.

Address: No. 187, Caohe Street, Zhujiajiao Town, Shanghai

Type: Historic Site / Temple

Recommended Visiting Time: About 0.5–1 hour

Opening Hours:

8:30-16:30

Transportation

Located within Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, it is within walking distance.

Admission Fee

10 RMB