Yunxiang Temple

Yunxiang Temple

Yunxiang Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Yunxiang Temple is the most historic attraction in Nanxiang Ancient Town. It was first documented 1,500 years ago. According to records, in the fourth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (505 AD), local residents unearthed a massive stone while digging, upon which two white cranes were often seen perching. Monk Deqi, based on the sign that “white cranes nesting signifies a sacred site for Buddhism,” raised funds to build the temple. Upon its completion, the cranes flew south, hence the temple was originally named “Baihe Nanxiang Temple” (White Crane Southern Soaring Temple).

At that time, the temple covered an area of 180 acres, far larger than the current Gucun Park. A famous line from the Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu’s poem “Spring in Jiangnan” reads: “Four hundred eighty splendid temples still remain, of Southern Dynasties in the mist and rain.” Yunxiang Temple was one of them.

The prosperity of the temple led to the thriving of the marketplace, gradually forming the town of Nanxiang around it. By the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, the temple was officially named “Yunxiang Temple” after receiving an imperial plaque. Records indicate that before the Xinhai year of the Qing Dynasty, the temple was unfortunately destroyed by a fire originating from a neighboring building. Later, through successive wars, the ancient temple was completely ruined, leaving only two ancient pagodas and a pair of stone sutra pillars intact.

The current temple was rebuilt and completed in 2004. With government approval, fifty acres of land were allocated for reconstruction, along with an additional fifty acres of ecological gardens nearby. The rebuilding project includes the construction of the Mahavira Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Guanyin Hall, Samantabhadra Hall, Manjushri Hall, Dharma Hall, Memorial Hall, Yunshui Hall, Bell and Drum Towers, as well as monastic quarters, dining halls, and other halls and rooms. The temple is built in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, grand in scale, with simple and solemn colors, fully reflecting the majesty of an Eastern Buddhist sanctuary.

Transportation

Address: No. 263 Jiefang Street, Nanxiang, Jiading District, Shanghai (at the intersection of Nanhua Road and Minzhu Street)

Transportation: Routes 562, Beijia Special Line, Luonan Line, 822, Global Harbor Line, Xiang’an Line, Shanghai-Tang Special Line

Type: Temple

Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 021-59123333

Opening Hours:

8:00–16:30 (opens at 5:30 on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month)

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 8.0 RMB

Nanxiang Town: Nanxiang, anciently known as Chaxi, is the site where Baihe Nanxiang Temple was built in the fourth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (505 AD), boasting a history of 1,500 years. The town derived its name from the temple. Since ancient times, Nanxiang has been a bustling hub of commerce and prosperity, earning the reputation of “Silver Nanxiang.” In 1991, Nanxiang was listed as one of Shanghai’s four major historical and cultural towns.

Nanxiang is located in the northwest suburbs of Shanghai, serving as the southern gateway to Jiading District. It is 18 kilometers from the city center and a 15-minute drive from Hongqiao International Airport. The Shanghai-Jiading Expressway, Shanghai-Yixing Highway, and Shanghai-Nanjing Railway run north-south, while Yunzao Creek crosses east-west. There are dozens of bus lines... More detailed information about Nanxiang Town++