Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Best
Temples & Churches
To be spellbound by Shanghai's consumer madness is to ignore much of what
modern China is about. To get a feel for the Chinese as people, it is vital to have
an understanding of their devotional impulses. Religious observance has enjoyed
a startling renaissance in Shanghai and the rest of China since the end of Mao
Zedong's leadership.
Christianity
China has a long history of importing faiths and beliefs (Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Chris-
tianity, communism), but it is surely Christianity that is making the most converts among
modern Chinese. Proselytising may be banned, but this hasn't slowed the spread of the
Christian gospel
(hao xiaoxi)
as legions turn to Christianity - partly because associations
are made between the religion and the developed-world status of many Christian nations.
Buddhism
Buddhism, too, has enjoyed a considerable upsurge in the past decade, and constitutes the
majority of worshippers in Shanghai. The best way to encounter religious observance is to
visit the city's temples, such as Jing'an Temple or Jade Buddha Temple.
Best Temples
Jade Buddha Temple
Shanghai's most famous Buddhist temple, named after its sublime
effigy. (
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)
Chenxiangge Nunnery
Gorgeous temple in the Old Town. (
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)
Jing'an Temple
Both the oldest and newest temple in Shanghai. (
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)
Confucius Temple
Peaceful shrine to the dictum-coining sage in an absorbing neighbour-
hood. (
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)
