Yan Zhou
What's Inside
I lost two clients at Jing'an Temple's south gate last month. They were stuck in the wrong queue – the one for donation, not entrance. Not fun. So let me save you that headache.
Getting to Jing'an Temple in Shanghai is actually simple – once you know the exact exit, the right bus stop, and the one thing taxi drivers always get wrong. Here's the breakdown from someone who's done it a hundred times.
Which subway station is closest to Jing'an Temple?
Jing'an Temple station on Metro Lines 2 and 7. Seriously, it's named after the temple. You can't miss it.
Exit 1 is your winner. It spits you out right at the temple's main entrance – literally a 30-second walk. Exit 3 works too but adds a minute. Avoid Exit 2 unless you want to circle through a shopping mall underground.
Fare from People's Square: 3 RMB (about $0.40). From Pudong Airport: 8 RMB, about 45 minutes. No need to buy a physical ticket – just use Alipay or WeChat Pay (the station has English on the machines, but the QR code is faster).
Bus routes that stop right outside
Several buses drop you within a 2-minute walk. Key ones:
| Route | Stop Name | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Jing'an Temple | Bund (East Zhongshan Rd) | Every 10 min, runs 5:30-22:30 |
| 37 | South Nanjing Rd (next to temple) | Bund (East Yan'an Rd) | Good alternative if 20 is packed |
| 71 | Zhongshan Rd (then 3 min walk) | Hongqiao Hub | BRT line, dedicated lane – fast! |
| 57 | Jing'an Temple | Longhua area | Passes through local streets |
Bus fare is 2 RMB, cash or transport card. English signs at stops are rare, so I recommend saving a screenshot of the stop name in Chinese: 静安寺.
Taxi, Didi, or on foot?
Taxi: From People's Square (15 min, ~20 RMB). From the Bund (20 min, ~25-30 RMB). The problem? Many drivers don't know which gate to drop you at. Tell them: “静安寺南门” (South gate) or “静安寺正门” (Main gate). If they look confused, say “南京西路1686号” – that's the address. They'll get it.
Didi (Chinese Uber): Even easier. I always use Didi. The app has an English version. Set destination to “Jing'an Temple (Southern Gate)” – the GPS pin is accurate. Expect a 2-minute wait in central areas. Fares are 10-15% cheaper than taxis.
On foot? From Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street – it's a 25-minute walk (2 km). Nice if you want to see the old lane houses along the way. From People's Square – 20 minutes. Not recommended in summer heat though. I've had guests nearly pass out.
Walking from nearby attractions
- Nanjing Road West shopping area: 10 minutes east along West Nanjing Road. You'll pass the iconic Reel Mall – great for a quick AC break.
- Shanghai Exhibition Centre: 8 minutes north. Combined visit works well.
- Former French Concession: 30-40 minutes southeast – better to take a 5-minute taxi.
Cycling & e-bikes (yes, you can)
Shanghai has dockless bikes (Mobike, HelloBike, DiDi Bike). Scan and ride. Price: 1.5 RMB per 30 minutes. Park anywhere within the designated zones – there's a bike parking area right at the temple's west gate. Caution: the area around the temple is busy with pedestrians. Walk your bike the last 50 meters. And don't try to take a bike inside – the monks won't appreciate it.
First-timer must-knows (tickets, hours, crowds)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 7:30 – 17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closes earlier on holidays – check their WeChat. |
| Ticket Price | 30 RMB (adult). Free for kids under 120cm. No senior discount for foreigners (bring passport if you want to try). |
| Booking | Buy on-site (cash or WeChat). No need to pre-book on normal days. But during Chinese New Year & National Day – book via WeChat mini-program “静安寺” at least 1 day ahead. |
| Best time to go | 8:00-9:30 AM or 3:30-4:30 PM. Avoid 10 AM-2 PM – tour groups swarm. I took a group at noon once. Never again. |
| Dress code | Cover shoulders & knees out of respect. They provide wraps at the entrance if you forget. |
| Accessibility | Main hall has a ramp. But the back halls have steep stairs – no elevator. Not great for wheelchairs. |
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