Temple of the Jade Buddha

Yes, it sounds like something out of an Indiana Jones, but it's actually just a temple in Shanghai. Known locally as Yùfó Sì, the temple houses two white jade Buddhas, both of which were brought over from Burma. The original temple that housed the Buddhas was built in 1882, only to be burned down in the revolution that took down the Qing Dynasty. The two Buddhas were saved though, and a new temple was built in 1929.


The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the two most important religious sites in Shanghai. It makes for a peaceful retreat in an otherwise hectic city, though everything is cramped into a pretty small area. About a hundred monks roam the grounds when they're not performing services.


The big attractions, though, are obviously the Buddha statues. Both are carved out of single pieces of white jade, and are absolutely beautiful. And big. The sitting Buddha below is almost 2m high and some 1000kg. (You're not supposed to take pictures but I took a quick one anyways.)


The reclining Buddha represents Buddha's death, and apparently the original isn't in the temple anymore. It's been replaced by a bigger one donated from Singapore.


Also enclosed within the temple are a vegetarian restaurant, a tea house, and the monks' living quarters.