Shanghai Longhua Temple

　　Longhua Temple is the oldest and largest ancient temple in the Shanghai area, with a history of over 1,700 years. The name of the temple originates from the Buddhist scripture story of Maitreya Bodhisattva attaining Buddhahood under the Dragon Flower Tree. Most of the current buildings of Longhua Temple date back to the Tongzhi and Guangxu eras of the Qing Dynasty, maintaining the layout of the “Seven Halls Monastery” system from the Song Dynasty, which includes the Maitreya Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Three Saints Hall, the Abbot’s Quarters, and the Scripture Depository.

　　The three-story bell tower next to the Heavenly King Hall houses a bronze dragon bell cast in the 20th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty. The bell stands about 2 meters tall, has a diameter of 1.3 meters, and weighs over 5 tons. The “Evening Bell of Longhua” was also one of the former “Eight Scenic Spots of Shanghai.” The Scripture Depository preserves various editions of the Buddhist canon, Buddhist scriptures, and numerous precious cultural relics, including the “Three Treasures of Longhua Temple”: the 718 volumes of the Buddhist canon bestowed by imperial decree during the Ming Dynasty Wanli era; a gold-plated thousand-petal lotus Vairocana Buddha statue; and an imperial golden seal.

　　The annual New Year’s Eve Longhua Bell-Striking event and the Longhua Temple Fair held on the third day of the third lunar month each year have a history of over 300 years and have become established tourist festival activities in Shanghai. Address: No. 2853 Longhua Road, Xuhui District.

　　Tips

　　Festivals: Welcoming the New Year and striking the Longhua Evening Bell on New Year’s Day, visiting for prayers during the Spring Festival in February, tomb-sweeping during the Qingming Festival in April, the (lunar) March 3rd Temple Fair, the (October) Auspicious Longhua Tour, and the Longhua Drum Ceremony.

　　Temple Fair: Legend says that the third day of the third lunar month is the nirvana day of the bodhisattva Maitreya’s incarnation, the monk Budai. As a sacred site of Maitreya, Longhua Temple holds grand commemorative ceremonies on this day. Longhua Temple attracts the most worshippers at this time of year, drawing many locals and vendors, forming a lively temple fair. For food, lodging, and shopping, Longhua vegetarian cuisine is quite famous, with long lines forming daily at noon in the dining hall. Transportation: Buses 41, 44, 809, 734, 933, 864, 73, 87, 104, 166, and Metro Line 3 (get off at Longcao Road Station).

　　Address: No. 2853 Longhua Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai

　　Type: Historical Architecture / Temple

　　Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 days

　　Opening Hours:

　　9:00–16:30

　　Ticket Information:

　　Regular Price: 10.0 RMB; Free during Buddhist festival periods

　　Transportation:

　　Buses 41, 44, 166, 167, 714, 733, 64, 933 to Longhua Road Huaron Road Station; buses 73, 87, 104, 178, and Xinzhuang–Longhua Line to Longhua Station; bus 932 to Tianyaoqiao Road Longhua West Road Station; bus 809 to Longhua West Road Longhua Road Station