Chenxiangge Nunnery

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  • Address
    29 Chenxiangge Rd, Old Town

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Lonely Planet review

Sheltering a community of around 40 dark-brown clothed nuns from the chénhǎi (Sea of Dust) - what Buddhists call the mortal world, but which could equally refer to Shanghai's murky atmosphere - this gorgeous yellow-walled temple is a tranquil portal to a devout existence far from the city's frantic temporal realm.

The Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tiānwáng Diàn) envelops an arrangement of four gilded Heavenly Kings and a slightly androgynous form of Maitreya. The sacred aura is completed by the muttering of prayers and chanting of hymns filling the Great Treasure Hall (Dàxióngbǎo Diàn), where a statue of Sakyamuni (Buddha) is flanked by two rows of nine luóhàn (arhat). The rear courtyard is lovingly decked out with flowers, pines and ornamental trees, while a sign reading 'This way up to the Guanyin Tower' (观音楼; Guānyīn Lóu; around Y2 ; - ) guides you to the temple's signature sight - a glittering effigy of the compassionate goddess carved from chenxiang wood (Chinese eaglewood) and seated lalitasana .