Citadines Apart' Hotel

Jade Buddha Temple

Shanghai is a city of stunning contrasts, from soaring mega malls and streets packed with retail brands to temples and Chinese gardens. In one of the fastest growing nations in the world, Shanghai is a thriving city with developments taking place at breathtaking speeds. A tempting array of entertainment opportunities awaits the global traveller, from designer bars to Chinese opera.

Of the many cultural and religious attractions to explore in Shanghai, one stands out for its significance to the locals and its beauty, the Jade Buddha Temple. Its origins can be traced to 1882, when a Buddhist monk by the name of Huigen brought these exquisite statues from Burma and built a temple to house them. A fire occurred and destroyed the temple, but fortunately these works of art were preserved and a new temple was built to house them in 1928.

There are two Jade Buddha statues that can be seen, each sculpted from a single piece of white jade. The seated Buddha statue is said to weigh 205 kilograms and is encrusted with emeralds and agate to create a bewitching sight. The other statue is in the reclining position, which is said to reflect the serene state of Sakyamuni Buddha when he left the world. A much larger reclining Buddha statue made from marble can also be seen at the Jade Buddha Temple, which was a gift from Singapore to Shanghai in 1989. The temple architecture is built according to the Song Dynasty style and features a spectacular ceiling and serene surroundings.

Discover other relics and statues that can be found in the many halls of this popular attraction in Shanghai. Travellers in search of a Shanghai apart’ hotel with exceptional facilities, easy access to tourist attractions and warm hospitality will be more than delighted with what Citadines Jinqiao Shanghai has to offer.