Longhua Temple: Shanghai’s Oldest & Most Majestic Buddhist Sanctuary** 🌸🏯

#holidayitinerary Step into **Longhua Temple**, a 1,700-year-old spiritual oasis in Shanghai where history, architecture, and Buddhist traditions converge. As the city’s **oldest and largest Buddhist temple**, it dazzles with its iconic pagoda, serene gardens, and vibrant festivals. Here’s your ultimate guide to exploring this cultural gem! --- ## **Why Visit Longhua Temple?** ✅ **Ancient Legacy**: Founded in **242 AD** during the Three Kingdoms period, it’s Shanghai’s sole surviving pre-modern pagoda and a masterpiece of **Song Dynasty Chan Buddhist architecture** . ✅ **Iconic Pagoda**: The **40.4m-tall Longhua Pagoda** (977 AD) features seven tiers with wind chimes and octagonal eaves—though closed to climbing, it’s a photogenic landmark . ✅ **Sacred Art**: Discover **500 golden Luohan statues**, a **5-ton Ming Dynasty bell**, and intricate carvings of Guanyin in the Mahavira Hall . ✅ **Festivals & Rituals**: Experience the **Longhua Temple Fair** (March/April) with peach blossoms and dragon dances, or the **New Year’s Eve bell-ringing ceremony** . --- ## **Must-See Highlights** ### **1. The Five Halls** - **Maitreya Hall**: Home to the laughing "Budai Monk" statue, symbolizing joy and abundance . - **Heavenly Kings Hall**: Guarded by the **Four Heavenly Kings**, with a majestic statue of Maitreya Buddha . - **Mahavira Hall**: The main hall houses **Shakyamuni Buddha**, 20 guardian deities, and a 16th-century bell . - **Three Sages Hall**: Features Amitabha Buddha and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva . - **Abbot’s Hall**: Used for lectures and ceremonies . ### **2. Longhua Pagoda** - A **Song Dynasty relic** with hollow brick cores and wooden balconies—once Shanghai’s tallest structure . - Featured in *Empire of the Sun* as a WWII flak tower . ### **3. Bell & Drum Towers** - Strike the **1382 copper bell** (5 tons!) for New Year blessings . ### **4. Temple Fair & Peach Blossoms** - Held on the **3rd day of the 3rd lunar month**, blending rituals with vibrant markets . --- ## **Visitor Essentials** 📍 **Location**: 2853 Longhua Road, Xuhui District . ⏰ **Hours**: 7:00 AM–4:30 PM (6:00 AM on lunar 1st/15th) . 🎫 **Admission**: **Free** (incense sticks for ₩3–20) . 🚇 **Transport**: Metro Line 11/12 to Longhua Station (Exit 4) . --- ## **Pro Tips** - **Best Time to Visit**: Early mornings or weekdays to avoid crowds; spring for peach blossoms . - **Incense Offering**: Circle the pagoda **3 times clockwise** while making a wish . - **Vegetarian Eats**: Try the temple’s **Luohan noodles** (₩15 with free refills) . - **Nearby**: Pair with **Longhua Martyrs’ Cemetery** for historical depth . --- ### **Legends & Lore** The temple’s name derives from a dragon (*long*) said to have appeared here, while its pagoda allegedly houses **Buddha’s relics** gifted to King Sun Quan .