Qingpu Baoguo Temple

Qingpu Baoguo Temple

Qingpu Baoguo Temple is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site.

To the west of the ancient town of Zhujiajiao, along National Highway 318, as you reach the foot of Dianfeng Bridge, there stands a magnificent temple majestically by the shimmering waters of Dianshan Lake — that is Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple’s branch, Baoguo Temple. Originally the site of Guanwang Temple, another renowned ancient temple by Dianshan Lake, Baoguo Temple was built during the Ming Dynasty. In the 13th year of the Chongzhen reign (1640), it was renovated, and to this day the temple still houses a stone tablet from that period. It was named “Guanwang Temple” because it enshrined Guan Yu, the famous general from the Three Kingdoms era.

Over a hundred years ago, Guanwang Temple enjoyed immense popularity, and Buddhist activities flourished like never before. Later, it suffered several wars, and most of its structures were destroyed. By the late 1940s, only the eastern and western halls remained. Inside the halls were two stone tablets and a large bronze bell. On the bell was a tiny golden statue of Amitabha, about the size of a thumb, which gleamed brilliantly and was said to be priceless — but it was eventually stolen. The bronze bell was also destroyed in 1958. By then, most of Guanwang Temple had been damaged, and its incense offerings gradually declined. However, the temple’s former glory has not been forgotten. A centuries-old ginkgo tree behind the temple stands as a living witness to its history. This ancient ginkgo has a trunk circumference of 6 meters, a height of 36.5 meters, and a crown diameter of 17 meters from east to west. According to experts, the tree is over 1,055 years old, likely planted during the Five Dynasties period, making it the oldest and largest ginkgo in the Shanghai area. Like a giant umbrella, it towers by Dianshan Lake and once served as a natural navigation marker for boats on the lake. Today, it is a municipal-level cultural relic under protection, providing shade for worshippers and serving as an attraction for visitors.

In the early 1980s, religious activities resumed, and Guanwang Temple was repaired and reopened as a Buddhist site, accessible to the public. After its renovation, the temple saw increasing incense offerings and often hosted resident monks and lay practitioners. Even the restored buildings and four newly built chanting halls could barely meet demand. In 1989, Venerable Master Zhenchan, Vice President of the Shanghai Buddhist Association and Abbot of Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, pledged to renovate and expand Guanwang Temple as a branch of the Jade Buddha Temple. It was renamed Baoguo Temple, symbolizing the gratitude of Buddhist followers toward their homeland. Master Zhenchan also served as the head of the temple’s restoration committee. That same year, he brought back from Singapore one white jade statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and one of Guanyin, both of which were enshrined in the temple. In 1991, a new two-story Guanyin Hall was constructed, covering 950 square meters. The upper floor houses the Jade Buddha Hall, while the lower floor enshrines a camphorwood statue of Guanyin over 12 feet tall. In June 1994, the consecration ceremony of the Vairocana Guanyin statue and a prayer assembly for world peace were held. Master Zhenchan gave a Dharma talk. Zhao Puchu, President of the Buddhist Association of China, personally inscribed the plaque “Pure Land on Earth” for the Guanyin Hall, and Master Zhenchan inscribed the plaque “Guanyin Hall.”

The current Baoguo Temple covers a total area of 38.5 acres, with a construction area of over 5,000 square meters. Majestic in scale and bustling with worshippers, it can rival the ancient temples of Suzhou and Hangzhou. Situated by the scenic Dianshan Lake, with convenient transportation, it serves not only as a place of Buddhist practice for devotees in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai but also welcomes compatriots from Hong Kong, Macau, and overseas Chinese communities such as those in Singapore for religious activities and worship. Thus, it has become a new attraction by Dianshan Lake.