Yan Zhou
I've brought dozens of groups to Jing'an Temple over the years. And one thing always happens — someone pulls out their phone, tries to buy a ticket, and hits a wall of Chinese characters. It doesn't have to be that way. Let me walk you through the exact steps so you can glide past the queue.
Current Ticket Prices (2025)
Here are the official rates. Note: prices rarely change, but always carry some small cash — the counter may have card issues.
| Category | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (standard) | 50 RMB (≈ US$7) | Includes incense stick |
| Child (under 1.3 m) | Free | Must be accompanied by adult |
| Student (with valid ID) | 25 RMB | International student cards accepted |
| Senior (over 70) | Free | Bring passport for age proof |
How to Buy a Jing'an Temple Ticket
Option 1: On-site Ticket Counter (Easiest for Foreigners)
Head straight to the main entrance at 1686 Nanjing West Road. The ticket booth is on the right. They accept cash (RMB) and WeChat Pay/AliPay. Credit cards? Unlikely. Bring enough cash. The line moves fast — I've never waited more than 5 minutes.
Option 2: WeChat Mini-Program (The Nightmare)
Yes, there's a WeChat mini-program. No, you probably don't want to use it. It's entirely in Chinese and requires Chinese ID verification. Most foreign tourists struggle. My advice: don't bother. Save yourself the headache and buy on-site.
Option 3: Third-Party Platforms (Trip.com, Klook)
These platforms work, but they add a markup (around 10–15 RMB). You'll need to show a QR code at the entrance. Good if you want to prepay with a credit card. I've used Trip.com successfully with my clients.
Best Time to Visit
Here is the catch: most tourists come at 10 AM. Big mistake. The temple faces east-west, so by late morning the sun blasts the main hall — terrible for photos and uncomfortably hot.
Go at 3:30 PM instead. Why? The golden hour light hits the pagoda beautifully. Plus, the incense crowd from the morning has thinned out. You'll have space to breathe. The temple closes at 5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM), so you get a solid 1.5 hours.
What to Expect Inside
Jing'an Temple is more than just a temple — it's a working Buddhist monastery. You'll smell incense, hear chanting, and see locals praying. A few must-dos:
- Burn the incense at the main courtyard. Don't throw the whole stick in — light it, waft three times, and place it in the burner.
- Visit the Jade Buddha in the rear hall. It's actually two jade Buddhas brought from Burma in the late 19th century.
- Climb the pagoda (extra 10 RMB) for a panoramic view of the surrounding skyline. The stairs are narrow — watch your step.
- The gift shop near the exit sells small Buddha statues and prayer beads. Prices are fair — no haggling though.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Mixed feelings. The skip-the-line feature sounded great, but when we got there the “priority” lane was actually shared with group tours and it felt just as crowded. Also the confirmation email didn't mention that the ticket includes a small side hall – we almost missed it. The temple itself is impressive, but for the price I expected a smoother experience. Not terrible, just a bit overhyped.
Decent experience overall. The skip-the-line part worked fine, but honestly there wasn't much of a line when we went on a Tuesday morning, so maybe not necessary. The temple is beautiful though, and the online price was slightly lower than the ticket booth. I'd give 4 stars because the description promised a “money-saving” deal – it's only a few yuan cheaper, so don't expect a huge discount. Still a good way to avoid any potential queue.
I was skeptical about these “skip the line” deals but this one delivered. We arrived around 10am and the regular line was already snaking around the block. With these tickets we walked straight in. The temple grounds are serene, especially the little garden with the koi pond. Felt like a hidden gem in the middle of busy Shanghai. Highly recommend!
Great value for money. We compared prices at the gate and this online deal was a good 20% cheaper. The QR code scanned instantly, no hassle at all. Loved the mix of ancient architecture and modern city vibes around. Only tiny complaint: the audio guide we got was a bit quiet, but still a solid 5 stars.
Absolutely loved this! Bought the skip-the-line tickets last minute and it saved us at least 40 minutes of waiting under the hot sun. The temple itself is stunning — the golden statues and incense smoke created such a peaceful atmosphere. Totally worth the extra few bucks. Would recommend to anyone visiting Shanghai!