[2025 Shanghai Attraction] Travel guide for Xilinchan Temple (updated Dec)

At a corner of Songjiang Old Street, I discovered a Buddhist pure land with a thousand years of heritage📍The incense is not bustling, making it even more peaceful—perfect for workers to relieve stress on weekends～ 📍Location: No. 666 Zhongshan Middle Road, Songjiang District (10-minute walk from Exit 3 of Zui Bai Chi Station on Metro Line 9🏃‍♀️) ⏰Zen business hours: 7:00-16:30 (Recommended to arrive early to listen to the morning bell🔔 and avoid the afternoon crowd) 🎫Ticket perk: Free! You can get 3 eco-friendly incense sticks at the entrance (Remember not to bring your own large incense sticks) ✨Zen check-in list: 1️⃣ Yuanying Pagoda✨Top ancient pagoda in Shanghai This 46.5-meter seven-story brick-wood pagoda comes with a time filter📸The mossy, mottled brick walls paired with sunlight are stunning! During the 1993 restoration, thousands of artifacts were unearthed, and the underground palace still holds relics💎Walk around the pagoda to feel the flow of a thousand years～ 2️⃣ Mahavira Hall & Bell and Drum Towers CP Vermilion pillars + Master Mingshan’s calligraphy plaque are a perfect match👑The hall houses solemn golden statues of the Three Buddhas, and the bell tower is rarely open to the public! When the bell rings, peace instantly fills the air🤫(Avoid close-ups of the Buddha statues when taking photos) 3️⃣ Autumn hidden skin🍂 The thousand-year-old ancient ginkgo’s transformation is amazing! Golden fallen leaves form a carpet, making the perfect frame with the ancient pagoda for your social media spotlight💛(Watch out for slippery leaves⚠️) 🍜Foodie intel: Vegetarian noodle shop—15 yuan to eat until full! Sensitive taste buds beware The fish in the release pond will be active🐟You can buy fish food 🚗Urban escape plan: Self-driving visitors, don’t park inside the temple parking lot💰There are affordable parking spots around the old street Bus riders, prepare a meat sandwich for rush hour🥪 Nearby “Bodhi Cottage” guesthouse offers immersive early morning bell lessons⏰(Light sleepers, beware!) Here🧘listen to Sanskrit chants, wait for the breeze, eat vegetarian meals, and all worries are packed away by Zen~ Make your wish sincerely, and remember to return to fulfill it if it comes true🙏

| Hiking at Xilin Zen Temple, encounter a different landscape. 🎈Shanghai Songjiang Xilin Zen Temple Hiking Guide🎈 🌼Hello there, treasures! Today I'm sharing a hiking guide to the Xilin Zen Temple in Shanghai's Songjiang district, let's step into this tranquil realm together. 📍Location: No. 666, Zhongshan Middle Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai 🚗Transportation: • Self-driving: Navigate directly to Xilin Zen Temple, parking is available nearby. • Public transport: Take Metro Line 9 to Zuibaichi Station, then walk or take a bus. 🌟Hiking Route: Start from the main entrance of the temple, first visit the Grand Hall to feel the solemn atmosphere. Then follow the path on the right, passing by the Sutra Tower and Bell Tower. Walk through the garden to the Life Release Pond, where you can pause to enjoy the fish and turtles in the pond. Continue on, passing by the meditation rooms and dining hall, and exit through the side door. 🎫Ticket: Free (some special events may charge a fee) 👗Equipment Suggestions: • Comfortable sports shoes for an easier walk. • A light backpack to carry some water and snacks. • A sun hat and sunglasses to protect from direct sunlight. 🍜Nearby Food: After hiking, you can visit the nearby old street to taste various local snacks, such as Songjiang's specialty pastries, wontons, etc. 💖Precautions: • Keep quiet, respect the religious atmosphere of the temple. • Do not touch the cultural relics and Buddha statues in the temple at will. • Be mindful of the environment, do not litter.

Xilin Zen Temple, originally named 'Xilin Jingshe', was first built in the 13th year of Tang Xiantong (872) and was built by Monk Rui in the first year of Southern Song Xianchun (1265), and has been around for over 1140 years. It was once renamed Yunjian Reception Hall, also known as Chongen Temple. It was destroyed by war in the early Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt in the 20th year of Ming Hongwu (1387). Inside the temple, there is the Chongen Pagoda, which is to commemorate the founder of the Southern Song Yunjian Reception Hall, the high monk Yuan Ying Zen Master, hence it is also called Yuan Ying Pagoda, commonly known as 'Xilin Pagoda', which is the tallest ancient pagoda in Shanghai. The pagoda has seven layers and eight sides, 46.5 meters high, brick and wood structure, the pagoda is majestic and solemn, none of the towers in Sanwu can surpass it, and its fame spreads far and wide. Admission: Free Location: No. 666 Zhongshan Middle Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, 1.1 kilometers walk from Zuibaichi Station on Line 9.

Built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Xilin Temple, where the founder of the Pure Land Sect, Master Huiyuan, presided for 30 years. The temple is very solemn and low-key, with a seven-story high tower behind the temple, towering and steep. The most famous thing in the temple is the poem written by Su Shi when he visited, little did he know that Dongpo's whim at that time became a masterpiece that has been passed down through the ages. Compared with the neighboring Donglin Temple, it is indeed a bit deserted here, but the monks in the temple are very friendly, the temple is clean and quiet, and there is no admission fee. This may be what the temple should look like, pray with heart, and worship Buddha with peace of mind.

Xilin Zen Temple is known as the first temple in Songjiang and is also well-known in Shanghai. It is one of the top ten Buddhist temples in Shanghai. Xilin Zen Temple was reportedly built in the 13th year of Tang Xiantong (872), and in the first year of the Southern Song Dynasty Xianchun (1265), the monk Rui added the temple and the tower, so Xilin Zen Temple has at least 757 years of history. Destroyed by war in the Yuan Dynasty, it was rebuilt in the early Ming Dynasty. Since then, Xilin Zen Temple has become a famous temple in the south of the Yangtze River due to the imperial edict of Yingzong. After that, Xilin Zen Temple was destroyed several times. When the People's Republic of China was established, only the Yuan Ying Tower and the Pilu Pavilion were left. It was rebuilt in 1992. Address: Zhongshan Middle Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai Transportation: Get off at Xilin Temple on Songjiang Route 4 and walk 20 meters to arrive Business hours: 05:30-16:30 Tickets: Free, and you can also get three incense sticks for free ❤Recommended reason: Shanghai's rare "fashionable" temple, where weddings can be held inside, and it also houses the tallest ancient tower in Shanghai... It's worth a visit when you come to Shanghai!