The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most venerated and well known religious monuments in Shanghai. The exquisite craftsmanship that has gone into the sculpture and the interesting history behind the temple makes it one of the most popular cultural attractions in China. The temple was built during the reign of Emperor Guang Xu of the Qing dynasty and the Jade Buddha statues were brought to the temple by Hui Gen, an abbot who went on pilgrimage to Tibet.

The temple is built in the traditional Chinese architectural style that is often found in Taoist and Buddhist religious institutions; this is what lends a mystical quality to the Temple of the Jade Buddha. The temple is divided in to two sections, the Chamber of the Heavenly Kings and the Chamber of Jade Buddha. The inner sanctum of the temple is the Chamber of the Jade Buddha and two beautifully crafted jade statues can be seen here in addition to a number of the other porcelain sculptures.

The Jade Buddha Temple which is located in a busy, modern area of Shanghai aptly illustrates the contrast between modern and ancient China and the peaceful co-existence between these two facets of the city. The Millennium, Hongqiao being a Shanghai hotel near the Jade Buddha Temple puts you in touch with the city’s cultural attractions as well as its busy business centre.