While Shanghai is a cosmopolitan city in China it also boasts a rich heritage, and these are some of its most popular historical attractions to visit on your adventures here.
The Bund
The Bund is an iconic waterfront promenade that’s been a symbol of Shanghai for over a century. Easy to reach for those based at properties like Citadines Hongqiao Center Shanghai, this area was once the hub of international trade and features European-style colonial buildings with baroque, beaux-arts, gothic or neoclassical architecture. Amongst the key landmarks here are the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, the Bank of China Building and the Masonic Club.
Jing’An Temple
For those staying at centrally located hotel apartments, Shanghai sightseeing should include a visit to the Jing’An Temple, a serene oasis amidst the bustling city. Dating to the 3rd century AD, this attraction is home to an impressive array of statues; these include a statue of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Mercy, made from an ancient camphor tree, and a silver Buddha statue said to weigh 15 tonnes in the main Mahavira Hall. You can also wander around the temple grounds which feature a peaceful garden and a pagoda.
Yu Garden
A beautiful classical Chinese garden, the Yu Garden dates to the Ming Dynasty. The Outer Garden is the oldest section here, while the Inner Garden which was created later, is just as captivating. The site features pavilions, ponds, bamboo groves, decorative stones and rock formations that provide a tranquil atmosphere. You can also admire the intricate architecture of the buildings such as the Hall of Spring which was the headquarters of the Society of Small Swords in the 1800s.
Jade Buddha Temple
The Jade Buddha Temple originally dates to the Qing Dynasty though it was later rebuilt in a Song Dynasty design style. This sacred site is famed for two magnificent jade Buddha statues, one is in a seated pose (in the Jade Buddha Tower) and the other in a reclining pose (in the Recumbent Buddha Hall). It’s also home to many other intricate statues, Buddhist scriptures, ancient paintings, and carvings as well as key structures like the Zen Hall, Kwan-yin Hall and the Cultural Relic Room.
