Donglin Temple, Shanghai

Shanghai Donglin Temple is a Buddhist temple established in 1308 and initially named "The pavilion of bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara 观音阁", which is in Shanghai's Jinshan district and renowned for its huge Buddhist structure crowds that have kept the architecture traits of the Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, and Qing Dynasty.

In 1313, the temple was renamed Donglin Temple 东林寺. During recent days between 2004 and 2008, a significant project of reconstruction and renovation expanded the temple to its current size, and it complemented the parcel of land with a set of new impressive attractions.

Attractions:

The golden bridge 金愿桥

It is an exquisite bronze-made arch bridge stairs that connect the frontage to the temple main gate, as the bridge has its glittering surface ornamented with 1017 carved Chinese characters of "happiness福", it is also named "The Bridge of A Thousand of Happiness 千福桥". Flanking the Golden Bridge are two resembling arch bridge stairs that are made of stone and white jade.

The triple arch gate 三门

This white jade-made gate comprises 3 arches in a row and has 5 golden hand-made bronze sculptures of lotus and 48 jade statues of Buddha on top of it. The gate combining with the bridges in front of it as well as a magnificent artificial hill in the background lends the temple an air of distinctive solemnity, which tends to evoke visitors' strong curiosity to go inside and obtain more background stories about the site.

The statue of Sudhana (the child of wealth) 善财童子像

This statue is nestled in front of the Grand Hall and elevated above the central pond inside the courtyard. It is produced with the technologies of Cloisonné and has a height of 5.4 meters, which is the highest Cloisonné statue artwork nationwide.

A pair of bronze pavilions 钟鼓楼

There is a pair of bronze pavilions situated on both the western side and eastern side of the temple courtyard, which are the Bell Pavilion 钟楼 and the Drum Pavilion 鼓楼. Under sunshine, these two glittering pavilions look extraordinarily fancy and inviting.

The pavilion of bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara 观音阁

Secluded underneath the huge artificial hill of the temple, the pavilion of bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara is a must-see attraction due to a pair of giant bronze doors (20.08 meters high) and a giant statue of bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (35 meters high) are both peerless in height dimensions of the same kinds nationwide. Noticeably, a giant Chinese character of "佛 Buddha" is formed up by 999 reliefs of bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara figure on the doors. Guarding the frontage of the pavilion are enormous golden Buddha statues that are mounted on the two walls flanking the entrance gate. While the tour keeps moving inside, a looming statue behind the door is gradually taking over the sight. The striking statue of bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara is definitely the highlight of the day that will leave your visit a brilliant impression by its sheer scale and spectacular look. Taking the elevator to the 7th floor, visitors are facilitated with a chance to take a close look at the top of this remarkable marvel by walking through the skywalk around it.

The statue of Five Buddhas 五佛冠

A flight of stairs stretching from the inside skywalk is leading visitors' tour to the top of the hill where a bronze statue of five-Buddhas is situated and overlooking the entire temple.