I truly cannot believe it! There exists such a mystical ancient temple in Shanghai!
Upon visiting Shanghai, one stumbles upon a temple of enchanting allure. What first meets the eye is a spectacular and peculiar mountainous spectacle, akin to a colossal Buddha in a reclining position, its massive arms stretched out, hand pointing towards the east, crowned with a diadem.
⛩️ This is the Donglin Temple, nestled in the Jinshan District of Shanghai. Established in 1308 AD, it boasts three Guinness World Records: the indoor Guanyin statue, the statue of Sudhana, and the Thousand Buddha Gate.
🔸Thousand Buddha Gate
The gate, adorned with 999 bronze Guanyin statues, holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest bronze gate, aptly named the "Thousand Buddha Gate". Standing at 20.08 meters tall and 10.295 meters wide, it forms a large "Buddha" character as tall as the gate itself, earning it the title of "China's First Bronze Buddha Gate". Its grandeur is truly awe-inspiring!
🔸Statue of Sudhana
Upon entering, one can spot the world's tallest cloisonné statue standing in the water, reaching a height of 5.408 meters and capable of rotating 360 degrees. Surrounding it are eight dragon carp, into whose mouths one can toss coins. If successful, one of eight auspicious phrases will be uttered.
🔸Indoor Guanyin Statue
Currently the tallest and most accommodating Guanyin Pavilion in Asia, also known as the "Ten Thousand Buddha Hall". It houses the world's tallest indoor Guanyin statue, a Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue standing at a total height of 34.101 meters, which is truly magnificent and spectacular.
In addition to experiencing these three Guinness World Records firsthand, there are many other renowned attractions within the temple.
🔹Five Buddha Crown
From afar, one is immediately drawn to the Five Buddha Crown, an incredibly mystical Buddha statue. The overall design is an abstract Buddha face, with Guanyin as the nose, two dragon heads as the nostrils, a lotus seat as the mouth, flying apsaras as the eyes, and two Dharma protectors as the ears.
🔹Guanyin Pavilion
Situated within a 57-meter-high mountain, the pavilion stands 35 meters tall and 31 meters wide, creating a grand ceremonial space. With a volume of approximately 35,000 cubic meters, it is currently the tallest and most accommodating Guanyin Pavilion in the country.
🔹Three Bridges · Three Gates
The central bridge is the Golden Wish Bridge, engraved with 1017 different fonts of the character for "fortune". Passing through the three bridges leads to the three gates, above which stand 48 statues of Amitabha Buddha, representing the 48 vows of Amitabha Buddha.
🏯 Other Buddhist halls such as the Buddha niche, the shadow wall, the bell and drum tower, and the main hall are all worth a visit.
🐟 One can also feed the koi next to the statue of Sudhana. Each Buddha carp here is full of spirituality, and feeding and touching the koi can bring good luck. Feed is available for purchase nearby.
🪷Tips:
1. To reach the Five Buddha Crown, take the elevator to the 7th floor and then climb one flight of stairs.
2. It is recommended to buy a combo ticket, which allows entry to all attractions.
🎫Ticket:
Combo ticket: 30/person
🆓Free for:
People over 70 years old, children under 1.3 meters
⏰Opening hours:
8:00~16:30 (weekdays)
5:00~16:30 (1st and 15th of each month)
📍Location: Donglin Temple
⛩️Address: 150 Donglin Street, Zhujing Town, Jinshan District, Shanghai
🚘Transportation: Take a taxi or drive to Donglin Temple
I didn't expect that there are such temples in Shanghai. It is really a film. I have obtained three Guinness records. It is very powerful! It’s a bit far away, in Zhujing Town in Jinshan, but parking at the door is still very convenient.
The flowers bloom on the sea to enjoy the spring plum blossoms. I came to the nearby Donglin Temple. The first time I came was very shocking. It was as spectacular as Hangzhou Lingyin Temple. I never knew that Shanghai had such a large Buddhist holy place.
Shanghai Donglin Temple has three Guinness records, and it is the first 4A-level Buddhist scenic spot in Shanghai to be successfully created. The scenic spot is distinctive, clean and tidy and good service. Our group of elderly people with inconvenient legs and feet asked the staff of Guanyin Pavilion for the elevator location, and then took us to the elevator entrance. The ticket for Trip.com's second kill is 24 yuan, and the ticket office at the door informs that there is no need to change tickets, and scan the code directly. There are three places that need to scan the code to check the ticket: the gate, Guanyin Pavilion, and the five Buddha crowns.
There are elevator monasteries, temples that can be photographed, and temples with restaurants. This is a very user-friendly monasteries. The elevator goes to the 7th floor, then climbs up the first floor, to the terrace, and you can see the big Buddha head.
I have been hearing how Donglin Temple has a Guinness record, until I walked closer, when I saw the temple door, I felt really shocked, and I suddenly felt a sense of "avoiding the world and the mountains are shallow". Entering the door is the bronze statue of the Guinness record of Jingtai Lanshan Cai Child. There are already many people asking for incense to pray for blessings. The lotus pond koi swims below. The hall chanting is endless. The incense is lingering and people are calmed down. The thousand Buddha gate on the left, the highest viewing and audio-visual image in the room, the brass "mid-midge" of the Yuantong Temple on the right, the whole jade bodhisattva statue...Whether it is a visit as an artwork or a religious worship, Donglin Temple is worth a walk in person anyway. The parking lot in front of the temple is not big. If you come late, you can park in the Wufu parking lot next to it. It is not a few steps away from the temple, and there are enough parking spaces. Finally, it stopped for almost 2h and only charged 5 parking fees.
There is basically no monk's temple, and you can go directly in by scanning the code at the door without changing tickets. Take the elevator to the 7th floor and then take the stairs to the five Buddha crowns on the eighth floor. The good fortune boy at the gate, the thousand Buddha gate of the temple and the highest indoor Guanyin are all Guinness World Records. But generally forget the old temple of Donglin Temple on the right side of the door, this Yuantong Temple is the only cultural relics here, and the Hotan Yuguan audio-visual image inside is the treasure of the town hall.
Although there are Donglin Temples that have been there for a long time, they are all newly built now. It's not to see the monuments. It's okay to turn around inside. You can climb the five Buddha crowns or enter the Guanyin Pavilion. It really cost a lot when it was built.