Jade Buddha Temple (Yufo Temple), along with Jing’an Temple and Longhua Temple, ranks among Shanghai’s top three most renowned Buddhist temples. Built in 1882 by Master Huigen, this sacred site houses exquisite jade Buddha statues and offers a serene retreat in the heart of the bustling city. As one of Shanghai’s top 10 must-visit attractions, it attracts visitors whether they seek spiritual enlightenment, historical insight, or simply a peaceful escape from urban life. The temple’s unique combination of religious significance and cultural heritage makes it stand out, even alongside its equally famous counterparts.
Jade Buddha Temple Facts
The Jade Buddha Temple got its name because it houses a beautiful jade Buddha statue, and it is also known as the Jade Buddha Chan Temple because Zen Buddhism is practiced within its walls.
- Name: Jade Buddha Temple
- Chinese Name: 玉佛寺
- Location: No. 170, Anyuan Road, Putuo District
- Ticket Price: CNY 20. Book now
- Opening Hours: 8:00 to 16:30
- Recommended Visit Time: 1 hour
History of the Jade Buddha Temple
The Jade Buddha Temple was founded in 1882 by Master Huigen, beginning with its exquisite jade-carved Buddha statues—a symbol of peace that became the spiritual foundation of the temple.
The first temple, built in 1900 near Jiangwan Station by the Wusong River, served as a beloved spiritual sanctuary until its destruction during the 1911 Revolution. Miraculously, the jade Buddha survived unharmed.
In 1918, the temple was rebuilt at its current location in the grand Song Dynasty architectural style and renamed “Jade Buddha Chan Temple.” With its elegant design and serene atmosphere, it became a permanent sanctuary in the heart of bustling Shanghai.
Architecture of Jade Buddha Temple Shanghai
Currently, Jade Buddha Temple is divided into two main sections: the front courtyard and the rear courtyard.
The front courtyard is the temple’s original site. Along its central axis are the Great Spirit Screen, Devajara Hall, Grand Hall (Mahavira Hall), and Prajna Abbot’s Quarters (with the Jade Buddha Chamber and Scripture Library upstairs). These structures form a Song Dynasty-style palace complex.
The east wing features the Sangharama Hall, Great Compassion Hall, Manjusri Hall, and Reclining Buddha Hall, while the west wing accommodates the Guest Hall, Three Saints Hall, Medicine Buddha Hall, Samantabhadra Hall, and Ksitigarbha Hall.
The rear courtyard includes functional spaces like the incense-burning zone, Five Contemplations Hall, and the modern Juequn Building. Additionally, the temple complex houses a Cultural Relics Room displaying artifacts from the Northern Wei to Qing dynasties, along with a Buddhist artifacts shop, vegetarian restaurant, and over 200 halls in total.
What to See in Jade Buddha Temple
The Legendary Jade Buddhas
One of the temple’s greatest treasures is its two exquisite jade Buddhas, originally part of a set of five statues brought from Myanmar in the late Qing Dynasty by Master Huigen of Putuo Mountain. While returning to Putuo, he left two of them in Shanghai.
Inside the Jade Buddha Chamber on the upper floor, visitors can see the awe-inspiring seated Shakyamuni Buddha. Towering at 1.95 meters tall, this resplendent statue is adorned with gold leaf and sparkling gemstones, earning its reputation as the temple’s most sacred treasure. The chamber’s ceiling is equally breathtaking, decorated with 500 gilded Buddha figures. Please note there is an additional 10 RMB fee to enter this special exhibition space.
In the west hall’s Reclining Buddha Chamber, another masterpiece awaits – a 96-cm-long jade sculpture depicting Shakyamuni Buddha at the moment of his nirvana at age 80. The statue captures the Buddha lying on his side, peacefully resting his head on his right hand. Adding to the spiritual atmosphere, a newer 4-meter-long jade reclining Buddha statue donated by devotees from Singapore stands opposite the original.
Masterpieces of Buddhist Art
Also worth seeing are the stone carvings inlaid on the walls in front of the Prajna Abbot’s Quarters, along the eastern and western corridors, and on the exterior walls flanking the Grand Hall. These include:
- Ming Dynasty calligrapher Dong Qichang’s engraved works from Huating – “The Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters” in regular script and “Records of Sakyamuni’s Enlightenment” in running script
- Stone carvings of Guanyin Bodhisattva’s thirty-two manifestations painted by famous artists from Tang to Qing dynasties
- Stone carvings depicting the eight phases of Sakyamuni’s enlightenment
- Stone carvings of the sixteen arhats painted by Tang Dynasty monk Guan Xiu
New Year’s First Incense: A Time-Honored Tradition
The Jade Buddha Temple enjoys thriving incense offerings, with devout worshippers continuously visiting on the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month. The temple is particularly famous for its “first incense” ritual on Lunar New Year’s Day. Some devotees even begin waiting at the temple gates on New Year’s Eve, hoping to be the first to offer incense at dawn – believing this will make their New Year wishes more likely to come true.
Travel Tips for Jade Buddha Temple
Dress modestly and wear comfortable shoes. While outdoor photography is allowed, remember no photos inside temple halls. Don’t engage with fortune tellers near the temple.
Enjoy vegetarian noodles (¥20-25) at the temple canteen or visit the Zen tea stall. Donation boxes are available throughout the complex. Cat lovers can spot friendly felines near the Medicine Buddha Hall.
How to get to the Jade Buddha Temple
- By metro: Take Metro Line 13 and get off at Jiangning Road Station. Leave from exit 4 and then walk southward. you can walk about 5 minutes to the Jade Buddha Temple.
- By Bus: Take bus No. 19, 206, 316, or 738 and get off at Jiangninglu Anyuanlu Station.
- Take City Sightseeing Bus and get off at the main entrance of the temple.
- Take a taxi directly to 170 Anyuan Road, Putuo District (普陀区安远路170号) – most drivers know this famous temple. Ride-hailing apps like Didi also work perfectly for door-to-door service.
Jade Buddha Temple Ticket Price & Opening Hours
Book Your Ticket Now| Entrance Fee | CNY 20 Note: Tourists have to pay CNY 10 extra if they want to see the jade buddha statues. |
| Opening Hours | Daily 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Extended hours 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM on Buddhist holidays (1st/15th lunar days & Buddha’s birthday). |