James Baquet

    SHANGHAI’S Jing’an Temple (literally “Temple of Peace and Tranquility”) is one of the oldest and newest temples I’ve been to.

    It was built originally in 247, during the Three Kingdoms period. It was moved during the Song Dynasty, and was then reconstructed in the 1880s, in the late Qing.

    And it’s happening again.

    On my first visit, in the summer of 2009, only a few side halls had statues (including an impressive 11-ton jade Buddha and a Guanyin made of 5.2 tons of thousand-year-old camphor wood); the rest were in mid-construction. But the massive wooden halls alone are impressive enough.

    I was fortunate to return this past January to see the stunning 8.8-meter-high Buddha made of 15 tons of pure silver, although construction continues.

    There are some nice little touches to be seen, too. Behind the silver Buddha is a series of panels made of various colors of jade showing scenes from the Buddha’s life (weight not given). And outside, right in front of a huge shopping mall, is an impressive modern Ashoka pillar like those erected in India by the king honored at Ningbo’s Ayuwang Temple.

    One warning: although called “Peace and Tranquility,” this is a busy temple in a busy area; don’t expect an atmosphere of contemplation!

    Jing’an Temple couldn’t be easier to reach; it’s right over Jing’an Temple Station, in the heart of Jing’an District. You can’t miss it!