Longhua Temple
Longhua Temple
4.5
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Built in the early Song Dynasty (960-1279), it is the oldest and largest temple in Shanghai. It is popularly believed that the temple gained its name Longhua from the legendary “Longhua” tree with branches extending some 20 kilometers, under which the Maitreya Buddha was enlightened.
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The area
Neighborhood: Xuhui
How to get there
- Longhua • 4 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
536 reviews
Excellent
273
Very good
202
Average
59
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Kristine K
125 contributions
Sep 2020
Longhua Temple is a spiritual place. It’s sacred. It’s historical. It’s an art historian paradise. It is well maintained. It is one of those places that if you only had 24 hours in Shanghai you must absolutely see, experience, and witness. Minimal entrance fee charged. Easily accessible by Metro. Vegetarian lunch is available and very reasonably priced. Note: My recommendation is to avoid weekends and holidays. For best experience, visit on a week day..
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo-Ann
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia15,996 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
First built in 242 AD. Song Dynasty Monastry. It is old but still very well preserved. Good to visit and enjoy the architecture. Wuite a huge compound to cover. Pagoda was under construction when we were there.
Written March 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarko2015
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,757 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
Very close to the Longhua metro station (Line 11) the temple has a ticket office and most guide books state there's a visitor's fee, but not the Tuesday morning I visited. It was free to enter. The pagoda is off limits to everyone, but all the temples and shrines can be visited and photography is allowed in all cases. The Arhat Hall is fascinating as the 500 golden buddhas are amongst the smallest I've ever seen and the layout and arrangement is unique to anything I've seen elsewhere in China. Just be aware that this is a very busy, working temple with many, many worshipers and it's only fair and right that you don't get in their way.
Written November 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mister8888
Werribee, Australia247 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
This complex has every known type of god and goddess so this is ideal for those who need at least one day of a temple fix. This has golden/stone/glass Buddhas, 1000 face Buddhas, the Goddess of Mercy in multiple forms, etc. Be courageous and just wander in and take photos. No one cares. There will almost certainly be something weird going on in the grounds as well, so its usually a great day. The complex is not far from Longhua metro on Line 11/12. Its a bit of a walk because the temple is across a busy road, but just look for the amazing Pagoda as a guide.
And when you have done the temples, wander next door into one of Shanghai's best kept secrets, the Martyrs Park. This is a spectacular park with lovely walks, bamboo groves and the ubiquitous locals in dance groups. You might even encounter a sax player who is a regular. At the far end is a museum to those communists who lost their lives to the KMT in teh 1930's - a little known piece of history, There are some spectacular sculptures here in the Russian style. Try to find the semi-circular memorial to some of the martyrs. Very beautiful. If you exit down that end to Tianyaoqiao Rd. (left side) and turn and walk to the right you will find a pizza place and a coffee shop about 300m down. Nearby are two other stations both near the famous Shanghai Football Stadium - your choice Shanghai Stadium Line 4 on the right and Shanghai Swimming Stadium Line 11 on the left. Download that ExploreShanghai app for the metro lines!!
And when you have done the temples, wander next door into one of Shanghai's best kept secrets, the Martyrs Park. This is a spectacular park with lovely walks, bamboo groves and the ubiquitous locals in dance groups. You might even encounter a sax player who is a regular. At the far end is a museum to those communists who lost their lives to the KMT in teh 1930's - a little known piece of history, There are some spectacular sculptures here in the Russian style. Try to find the semi-circular memorial to some of the martyrs. Very beautiful. If you exit down that end to Tianyaoqiao Rd. (left side) and turn and walk to the right you will find a pizza place and a coffee shop about 300m down. Nearby are two other stations both near the famous Shanghai Football Stadium - your choice Shanghai Stadium Line 4 on the right and Shanghai Swimming Stadium Line 11 on the left. Download that ExploreShanghai app for the metro lines!!
Written August 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexandra N
Red Bank, NJ281 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
I went there 2 days after CNY 2016. Take subway 12 and exit Longhua Rd (Not Middle Longhua Road) and come out exit 4. Make a left when you leave. A right at the light and you are there. Entrance fee was 20 RMB. Maybe this was a special day maybe not, but everyone that was there was there to pray and leave their "vows" or wishes maybe? I have to say it was s deeply spiritual experience for most of the people who were there and it made me feel a bit like I was intruding on something special. There are many pagodas to visit, a lot of different buddhas and a LOT of gold! It was such an interesting experience. I recommend reading about the different halls and pagodas before you go, so you can have a better idea of what you are looking at and what the different buddhas mean. But you can ask at the desk inside one of the first buildings on your right and they will give you a printout with the key information (5 pages or so). Since this is place of workship, please be mindful with taking pictures. I saw someone get chewed out for getting too up close and personal to people's religious experience.
Written February 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
savvyuec
Hyderabad, India588 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
Getting Here: Longhua Metro Station on Line 11 or Line 12.
Attractions: Longhua Temple and Martyrs Cemetry.
Trivia: The temple was originally built in Song dynasty. The complex was also used as an execution ground by KMT and therefore a cemetry was built in dedication of the martyrs. More details can be found on wiki.
Also features in the Spielberg movie "Empire of the Sun".
Attractions: Longhua Temple and Martyrs Cemetry.
Trivia: The temple was originally built in Song dynasty. The complex was also used as an execution ground by KMT and therefore a cemetry was built in dedication of the martyrs. More details can be found on wiki.
Also features in the Spielberg movie "Empire of the Sun".
Written February 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth H
Saint Cloud, FL211 contributions
Feb 2016
Well I had planned on visiting Longhua Temple for midnight entering Chinese New Years. When we got there it was a sea of people and when we got to the ticket booths the price was 600RMB per person. That's was about $100 US dollars. We decided not to entered. A normal day is around 20RMB. That price does include ringing the bell (another queue you would have to wait in). I will go back for the history and to explore in the daylight. But If you want to go on CNY, please make sure you buy tickets ahead of time!
Written February 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kpmirk
New York50 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
I have been coming to Shanghai for many years and somehow missed this temple. It’s one of the most interesting Buddhist temples I’ve seen, and it’s a great place for people watching. I ended up spending a few hours here just soaking up the atmosphere. It’s not particularly peaceful compared to other Buddhist temples I’ve been to, but this is a lively and active temple filled with local color. There were very few tourists when I came, mostly locals activity praying in the various pavilions. I didn’t feel like I was intruding at all, and everyone was very friendly. Even though it’s a bit out of the center, it’s an easy ride on the metro. Definitely worth the trip!
Written July 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel4experience
Dublin, Ireland44 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
History and modernisation com together here.
We had a great experience.
Easy to access.
The place was filled with locals.
We had a great experience.
Easy to access.
The place was filled with locals.
Written June 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
v6arj
Milton Keynes, UK65 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
after so much of the new modern city it was a pleasure to see the old building in such a fantastic condition
Written June 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mitchell J
Shanghai, China1 contribution
Can anyone recommend additional sites from the Three Kingdoms era in Shanghai?
I'm enamored with that period and trying to visit as many historical sites from that period.
streaty
Orange, Australia26 contributions
get a guide called jo jo guide look it up google. , her last 4 generations still live in shanghai, we went with her and she is totally awesome will tell you every thing you need to know. plus she speaks fluent English and Chinese. She will get you into places you never knew about.
Simona Cascarano
Milan, Italy130 contributions
In che modo si può raggiungere l'attrazione con i trasporti pubblici?
mokapest
Vicenza, Italy16 contributions
metropolitana!
consiglio di acquistare il biglietto giornaliero e si gira da mattina a sera!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Longhua Temple
- Longhua Temple is open:
- Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- We recommend booking Longhua Temple tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 23 Longhua Temple tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Longhua Temple:
- (0.19 mi) Ji Hotel Shanghai Xujiahui Tianyue Bridge Road
- (0.23 mi) 7 Days Inn Shanghai Xujiahui Longcao Road Subway Station
- (0.30 mi) Hi Inn Liangpin Shanghai Xujiahui Longhua Road
- (0.31 mi) Hanting Express Shanghai Wantiguan Sout
- (1.66 mi) Pullman Shanghai South
- Restaurants near Longhua Temple:
- (0.09 mi) RenDao SuCai HuanXi Zhai
- (0.11 mi) LongHua Si
- (0.11 mi) LongHua SuZhai Guan (LongHua Road)
- (0.14 mi) HuaYuan Restaurant (LongHua)
- (0.18 mi) Pizzeria Alla Hungry
- Attractions near Longhua Temple:
- (0.06 mi) Shanghai Longhua Tower
- (0.15 mi) Longhua Memorial Park of Revolutionary Martyrs
- (0.83 mi) Riverside Promenade (Bingjiang Da Dao)
- (0.85 mi) Huangpu River
- (5.11 mi) The Bund (Wai Tan)
Longhua Temple Information
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