Introducing Sōngjiāng
Sōngjiāng County, 30km southwest of Shànghǎi, was thriving when Shànghǎi was still a dream in an opium trader’s eye, though you only get a sense of its antiquity in the timeless backstreets in the west and southwest of town.
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The most famous monument is the Square Pagoda (; Fāng Tǎ; admission Y12), located in a park in the southeast of the town. The 48.5m nine-storey tower was built between 1068 and 1077; during reconstruction in 1975 a brick vault containing a bronze Buddha and other relics was discovered under foundations.
Next to the park is the mildly interesting Songjiang Museum (; Sōngjiāng Bówùguǎn; admission Y8; 9-11am & 1-4pm Tue-Sun). Other attractions in town include the Xilin Pagoda, a 30-minute walk to the west of town, and the Toroni Sutra Stela, built in AD 859 and Shànghǎi’s oldest Buddhist structure. The Songjiang Mosque (; Sōngjiāng Qīngzhēnsì; admission Y5), in the west of town, is worth a visit. Built between 1341 and 1367 in the Chinese style, it’s one of China’s oldest mosques.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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