Zhenru Temple

In the Zhenru Town Street of Putuo District, Shanghai, there is the historic Zhenru Temple. It is a rare Yuan Dynasty building in the Jiangnan area, and it was once called Wanshou Temple and Baohua Teaching Temple in the early Ming Dynasty. Its common names include "Big Temple" and "Great Temple". After surviving wars, only the main hall remains, and the ink marks from the renovation during the Guangxu period are still visible on the main beam of the hall. The existing beams, columns, brackets, and most of the components are original from the Yuan Dynasty. The main hall features a gray tile single-eave hip-and-gable roof style, with beautiful curves and deep eaves. Zhenru Temple is not very large, and along the central axis, there are the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Yuantong Treasure Hall, the Zhenru Pagoda, the Zhenru Abbot's Room, and the Sutra Depository. To the left and right of the Hall of Heavenly Kings are two-story bell and drum towers, and next to them are the Ksitigarbha Hall, the Sangharama Hall, the Samantabhadra Hall, the Manjusri Hall, the Reclining Buddha Hall, the Medicine Buddha Hall, the Zen Hall, the Chanting Hall, and the East and West Corridors. Zhenru Temple has many unique features: first, inside the Hall of Heavenly Kings, there are statues of the Heng Ha Er Jiang and the Four Heavenly Kings, totaling 6 figures, which is slightly different from other temples; second, around the walls of the Mahavira Hall, there are rubbings of 16 Arhats drawn by the Tang Dynasty's Guanxiu, which differs from the 18 Arhats commonly seen in temples; third, the overall color scheme of the temple is black, gray, and white, because the Yuan Dynasty revered white, which is starkly different from most temples that are predominantly red and yellow. Between the Hall of Heavenly Kings and the main hall, there is an ancient ginkgo tree, said to be as old as the temple itself, with a history of over 700 years. Inside the main hall, there are three Burmese jade Buddha statues donated by Singaporean monk Xing Ren. Inside the Yuantong Treasure Hall, there is a 5.2-meter-tall white marble Guanyin statue with four faces, and the ceiling's caisson is shaped like the Thousand-Handed Guanyin. The Zhenru Pagoda was completed in 1999, and it is rumored that the underground palace enshrines the only Buddha relic in Shanghai. There are 108 prayer wheels around the pagoda, and remember to turn them clockwise. In front of the pagoda, there are many plump and fearless pigeons, and there is also a pigeon feed vending machine available for purchasing. Taking photos with the pigeons and the pagoda as a backdrop is very impressive. Temple-related information: 🎫Ticket: 10 yuan, available for purchase on-site. 🚇Transportation: Take subway line 11 or 14, get off at Zhenru Station exit 6, and walk for 10 minutes to arrive. 🍲Nearby: There is a Zhenru Mutton Restaurant nearby. 📒Opening hours: 8:00-17:00, the temple is not big, and it is enough to take a leisurely tour for 2 hours. If there is time after the visit, you can also take a stroll in the nearby Zhenru Ancient Town. 📍Address: No. 399 Lanxi Road, Putuo District, Shanghai.

Let's talk about Zhenru Temple in Shanghai and how incredible the place is. This hidden gem stole my heart with its serene atmosphere and stunning architecture… so far is my favorite temple in the city. A must-visit for anyone seeking a tranquil escape in the bustling city, you find a pagoda right in the end of the temple, surrounded by gardens and a hallway along the river next to it with koi fish you can feed. You can also participate in feeding the pigeons living permanently in there, is also a popular thing to do while in the temple and food is being sold there as well. #Shanghai #ZhenruTemple #shanghaitrip

When it comes to famous temples in Shanghai, Zhenru Temple is somewhat understated. Located in Putuo District of Shanghai, the temple covers an impressive area of 1,370 square meters. Originally named 'Wanshou Temple' and commonly referred to as 'Da Miao,' it is a national heritage conservation site. Zhenru Temple is the earliest built and most influential in the Shanghai area. During the Jiading era of the Southern Song Dynasty, the monk Yong'an founded the Zhenru Academy in the official quarters. In the seventh year of the Yuan Dynasty's Yuanzhen period, the monk Miaoxin relocated it to the northeast side of the intersection of Taopu and Liyuanbang, its current location, and renamed it Zhenru Temple. The name of the temple is derived from the Buddhist scripture 'Cheng Weishi Lun,' which explains: 'Zhen means truth, revealing no falsehood; Ru signifies constancy, indicating no change. This truth is constant in all aspects, always true to its nature, hence the name Zhenru.' ✅ Must Experience: The most characteristic Yuan Dynasty structure in the Jiangnan region Tang Dynasty sixteen arhats rubbings 800-year-old ginkgo tree Jade statue of Sakyamuni A 5-meter tall white marble statue of the four-faced Guanyin A joyful pigeon paradise The Zhenru Mutton Restaurant that you can't miss just a step away 🗓 Itinerary: 1⃣️ Entering from the mountain gate on Lanxi Road leads to a long and narrow plaza, where incense offerings are concentrated. Open flames are not allowed inside the temple. 2⃣️ Continuing forward, you will sequentially pass the Bell Tower (Ksitigarbha Hall), the Heavenly King Hall, and the Drum Tower (Jialan Hall), and then officially enter from the Heavenly King Hall. The east side of the Bell Tower has a vegetarian dining hall available from 11:00 to 11:30. 3⃣️ Exiting the Heavenly King Hall, there are two ginkgo trees on the north side, with the ancient one on the left being over 800 years old. Besides the ginkgo trees, there are also large areas of potted green plants, with the Puxian Hall and Sakyamuni Hall to the west, and the Manjusri Hall and Medicine Buddha Hall to the east. 4⃣️ The second is the Mahavira Hall, a brick-and-wood structure characteristic of the Yuan Dynasty in the Jiangnan region, with 'Dharma Realm Zhenru' hanging high on the hall door. The bottom of the main beam is carved with the inscription 'Jia Da Yuan Sui Ci Geng Shen Yan You Qi Nian Gui Wei Ji Xia Yue Yi Yi Er Shi Yi Ri Xun Shi Ding Jian,' which accurately records the year of construction, the seventh year of the Yuan Dynasty's Yuanzhen period (1320), a nationally protected cultural relic. The central statue of Sakyamuni seated is carved from Burmese jade. The walls of the hall are adorned with rubbings of the sixteen arhats painted by Tang Dynasty's Guanxiu. 5⃣️ The third is the Circular Hall. In the center is a 1.2-meter-high circular bluestone lotus pedestal, with a vajra as the pillar, accompanied by deep relief carvings of the eight celestial dragons. Atop the lotus pedestal is a 5.2-meter-tall, approximately 35-ton white marble statue of the four-faced Guanyin. The crown is sculpted with the Five Dhyani Buddhas, and the center of the chessboard-patterned ceiling has a caisson with a thousand-armed and thousand-eyed figure. Around the caisson, thirty-two wooden carved images serve as hanging ornaments, forming a canopy. The walls of the hall are inlaid with stone carvings of twenty-eight followers of Guanyin; above is Zhao Puchu's inscription of 'The Universal Gate Chapter of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.' 6⃣️ After the Guanyin Hall is the Zhenru Pagoda. The central open space, besides a pond for releasing creatures, also has a pigeon house, where auspicious pigeons are released by devotees. This area is a joyful paradise for pigeons, where the atmosphere shifts from solemn and respectful to harmonious and joyful. Pigeon food is available for self-service purchase. 7⃣️ The Zhenru Buddha Pagoda stands 53 meters tall and is the first Buddhist pagoda built in Shanghai in nearly a hundred years. The pagoda has nine floors, plus the first floor with a double-eave hidden mezzanine and an underground palace, totaling eleven floors. The underground palace enshrines the true relics of Sakyamuni. The base of the pagoda is inlaid with bluestone reliefs of the eight great bodhisattvas, surrounded by a five-meter-wide corridor for devotees to admire, worship, and circumambulate. The bottom floor of the pagoda houses statues of Maitreya Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, and Medicine Buddha in the four cardinal directions. From the third floor to the top, the walls are adorned with wood carvings of the fifty-three visits of Sudhana, and the side walls house a total of three thousand statues of Sakyamuni Buddha. Around the base of the pagoda are copper prayer wheels. 8⃣️ The last two floors house the abbot's quarters and the scripture repository, which are not open to the public. The corridor near the Taopu River on the west side has many famous inscriptions, offering a place for riverside relaxation. 🚉 Transportation Tips: Take Metro Line 14 to Zhenru Station and exit from Gate 7, then walk about 500 meters 💰 Average Spending: Entrance and incense offering fee: 10 yuan

Zhenru Temple is considered a very niche attraction in Shanghai. Compared to the splendor of Jing'an Temple and the bustling incense of Longhua Temple, Zhenru Temple is like a wise man who keeps a low profile, deep and introverted. The architecture of Zhenru Temple is very distinctive, with a strong Tang Dynasty style. Apart from the main halls at the entrance, the most eye-catching is its Zhenru Pagoda, which has nine floors on the outside, plus a mezzanine on the first floor and an underground palace, totaling eleven floors. The outside of the Zhenru Pagoda is a circle of metal prayer wheels, with Sanskrit six-word mottos on them, which is very shocking. In front of the tower is a pigeon loft, there are many pigeons here, you can have close contact with the pigeons, you can also buy pigeon food to feed, and the photos are very beautiful! Many people come here just to see the pigeons! Name: Zhenru Temple Address: 399 Lanxi Road, Zhenru Town Street, Putuo District, Shanghai Time: 8:00-16:00 Ticket: 10 yuan Incense: 30 yuan for three sticks, multiple styles to choose from, same price. Precautions: 1 Although the weather is hot, girls try not to wear shorts or skirts into the temple. 2 Although the temple is very exquisite, be careful to only take pictures of the architecture. 3 Do not take pictures of Buddha statues. 4 When feeding pigeons, do not scare the pigeons, feed them in a civilized manner.

This temple is a treasure trove discovered in 2023 It is said to have been built during the Yuan Dynasty and is a national key cultural relic Apart from locals in Shanghai, few people know about it Even on weekends, there are not many people here Because I like it here I went four or five times in the second half of 2023 I like to feed pigeons and goldfish here When tired, I sit in the corridor by the river Watching the light and shadow change in the corridor The wind by the river blows the willow branches on both sides Occasionally, fish jump out of the water Watching devout people walk around the prayer wheel Listening to the chanting in the temple The whole person is relaxed and comfortable as if far away from the outside world, the heart is particularly quiet Zhenru Temple Address: No. 399, Lanxi Road, Zhenru Town, Putuo District, Shanghai ⏰Opening hours: 6:00-18:00 🎫Ticket: 10💰 Transportation: Metro Line 11, 14 Zhenru Station, then walk 500 meters. Photography📸Positioning Guide: Pigeon Square Buy a bag of pigeon food, you can get a lot of big shots. Prayer wheel Corridor It has a strong sense of visual extension, and the sense of space compression taken with a telephoto lens is stronger. Corridor It has a strong sense of visual extension, and the sense of space compression taken with a telephoto lens is stronger. Goldfish pond Zhenru Pagoda You can find interesting positions of various pagodas in the temple. Surroundings: Zhenru Temple is in Zhenru Ancient Town, which is a place full of life. You can take a stroll. The Zhenru Mutton Restaurant next door is famous, and those who like sweet taste can try it.

Shanghai attractions always include a visit to Zhenru Temple to feed the pigeons. Zhenru Temple, compared to the splendid Jing'an Temple and the bustling Longhua Temple, is like a sage who keeps a low profile, profound and restrained. The architecture of Zhenru Temple is very distinctive, with a rich hall style. Apart from the several main halls at the entrance, the most eye-catching feature is its Zhenru Pagoda. The exterior has a total of nine floors, with an additional mezzanine on the first floor plus an underground palace, making it eleven floors in total. Around the outside of the Zhenru Pagoda is a ring of metal prayer wheels, with the Sanskrit six-syllable mantra inscribed on them, which is very impressive. In front of the pagoda is a pigeon loft, where there are many pigeons. You can get up close with the pigeons, and you can also buy pigeon feed to feed them. It's also a great spot for taking photos! Many people come here specifically to see the pigeons! Name: Zhen Temple

🙏 In the hustle and bustle of the magic city, there lies a serene and quaint place called Zhenru Temple. 🌳 Here, there is none of the city's noise, only the peaceful atmosphere of an ancient temple that calms the soul. 👀 The architectural style of the ancient temple is filled with rustic charm, and every brick and tile tells a story of the years gone by. 📜 Stepping into the temple is like entering another world, where time seems to slow down. 🌸 Here, you can: 💧 Listen to the chanting of the monks and feel the power of the Buddhist teachings. 💧 Savor the aroma of tea, nourishing your spirit amidst its fragrance. 💧 Sit in quiet meditation, engaging in a dialogue with your inner self. 💧 Admire the artistic treasures within the ancient temple and appreciate the allure of Buddhist culture. 🌳 Zhenru Temple is a place where you can forget your troubles and return to a state of inner peace. 🙏 If you seek a spiritual retreat, consider visiting here to find the tranquility and strength within.

【Treasure Discovery】Must-visit attractions in Putuo District, Shanghai 【Citywalk Short Guide in Putuo District, Shanghai】First stop: Zhenru Temple The entrance fee is only 10 yuan, and the tour time is about 30 minutes to 1 hour. In addition to praying and feeding pigeons and fish, you can also take beautiful photos of this ancient building! Here, you can feel the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere and fully experience the unique charm of Buddhist culture. Second stop: Exit 9 of Caoyang Road Subway Walking straight out of Exit 9 of the subway station, you can admire the murals with European style and feel the strong literary atmosphere. Along the green track, you can stroll along the Suzhou River, appreciate the historical culture and urban landscape of Shanghai, and feel the unique charm of this city. Third stop: Exit 1 of Jiangning Road Subway With walking navigation, you can appreciate the art and culture exhibition of the mall's exterior, and feel the fashion and art atmosphere of this city. Then go to Jiushi Suzhou River, walk to Changhua Road Wharf, you will find the Shanghai font logo there, be sure to pick up the camera to record this unforgettable moment! Finally, you can return the same way and end this citywalk journey full of literary and fresh style.

Shanghai Buddhist Holy Land | Zhenru Temple This is the most secluded and peaceful Zhenru Temple I have seen in Shanghai! It has a history of hundreds of years and was established during the Jiading era of the Southern Song Dynasty! Special recommendations: Come to Zhenru Temple to feel the peaceful atmosphere √ Along the white walls, green tiles, and wooden pavilions, every step is a view! It was built during the Yuan Dynasty, with the main hall being three bays wide and deep, and has been repaired repeatedly. The main structural components, including the horizontal beams, columns, square brackets, and arches, are said to be the original materials from the Yuan Dynasty. The blue lotus auspicious clouds, various patterns on the blue stone road, have a unique style without losing solemnity. The century-old ginkgo in the center of the temple is a highlight, with yellow ribbons tied to the tree for making wishes. 2. Turning prayer wheels, Zhenru Pagoda, pigeons, calligraphy corridor The Zhenru Pagoda is surrounded by one hundred and eight sutra scrolls, made of metal, with Bagua and Sanskrit carvings. The first floor is open, with Buddha figures on all sides guiding with different hand gestures. Turning the prayer wheels around the pagoda, listening to the bell sounds, and hearing the chanting from afar, one can feel the peace of devout worship. √ To the left of the Zhenru Pagoda, there is a large meadow with hundreds of pigeons leisurely roaming, where you can get up close to them, take photos, and daydream. Watching the adorable creatures with clean, curious eyes, they even pose for pictures, making one forget the dust and toil of life. Tip: The free-range pigeons are fed by monks, and if you wish to feed the pigeons, you can buy corn in advance and give it to the monks. √ Out of the meadow, into the hundred-meter riverside corridor The riverside corridor, with stone carvings full of text. The roof is decorated with ink landscape calligraphy and paintings. The summer breeze is cool, greeted by the fragrance of lotus, accompanied by koi in the stream. After praying, it's the most serene place to go! Temple admission: 10 yuan Business hours: 6:00-16:00 Detailed address: No. 399, Lanxi Road, Zhenru Town, Putuo District, Shanghai Transportation strategy: Subway, bus, self-driving Subway line: Metro Line 10 → Metro Line 11, the whole journey is about 12.5 kilometers. Zhenru Temple subway station (Line 2), walk 810 meters, if you don't want to walk, there are shared bicycles at the subway station. Bus lines: 01, 62, 63, 105, 106, 129, 136, 223, 516, 550, 551, 706, 708, 717, 724, 740, 742, 743, 754, 766, 768, 807, 838, 852, 858, 860, 866, Tourist Line 6, Airport Line 6, Bei'an Line.