First built in 247 A.D., Jing'an temple is located in one of the most modernized areas of downtown Shanghai, and it also starts the Nanjing Road W. CBD, the most high-end business center. You can even see the huge, stylish Tiffany ads on bill boards from the temple's court yard.

Jing'an temple, as one of the three most ancient religious sites in Shanghai, has experienced destruction and reconstruction several times during its long history.

The first time was during a civil war in the middle of 19th century. But it was rebuilt on April 8th, 1880 according to the lunar calendar.

The last severe period of damage was during China's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) and the temple now standing is the 1980's reconstruction.

Jing'an temple enjoyed prosperity at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1912, it was made headquartesr of the first nation-wide Buddhist association.

The temple is currently under further renovation and extension, but it still open to the public and you can still see a lot of delicate Buddha statues and embossments.

Address：No.1686, Nanjing Rd. W., near Huashan Road
Hours：Most days 7:30am-5pm, except for the first and the 15th day of every lunar month when it's 5am-5pm.
Tickets：10 yuan/person
Tel：6256-6366
Traffic: Metro line 2, get off at Jing'an Temple station

Century Park is a great place to rest after a hard week. The grand square and green lawns allow you to get away from busy city life and crowds.

There's not much entertainment in the park, but you can borrow a tandem bicycle. If you get tired, you can park the bicycle and then fly a kite, enjoy a picnic on the lawns or rent a boat.

The park also hosts fireworks shows every golden week——Spring Festival, May Day Holiday and the National Day Holiday in October. You can save a lot of money by watching the fireworks from outside the park, but you'll miss the music.

Address: No.1001, Jinxiu Road near Century Avenue
Tel: 8621-5833-5621
Hours: 7am-6pm
Tickets: 10 yuan (US$1.25)
Traffic: Metro line 2 (Century Park Station)

The inconspicuous entrance of Lane 132 Shanyin Road leads into the small, traditional Chinese compound where the famous writer Lu Xun (1881-1936) spent the last three and a half years of his life.

Over the years the three-floor apartment was well tended to and so it's still well preserved. When you walk around the flat it is like traveling back in time to the 1930's. The original furniture and things which the writer once used are displayed. Besides the furniture the most eye-catching items are the old books, a hand written script as well as some medicine and medical equipment——at the end of his life Lu Xun was fatally ill. Some say you still can breathe the atmosphere of that time when you enter this place.

In 1959 the residence was announced as a cultural relic under municipal protection by the people's committee of Shanghai.

Lu Xun is considered to be the father of China's modern literature. His most famous works include “A Madman's Diary”, “The True Story of Ah Q”, “Call to Arms”, “Wandering”, “Wild Grass”, and “Dawn Flowers Plucked at Dusk”.

Address: No.9, Lane 132, Shanyin Road near Sichuan Road N.
Tel: +8621-5666-2608
Hours: 9am-4pm
Tickets: 8 yuan/person, 4 yuan/student
Traffic: Metro line 3 (Baoxing Road E. Station)

Located in the city of Shanghai and as one of its famous Buddhist temples, Yufo Temple belongs to the Chan sect, and has a history of over one hundred years.
During the reign of Emperor Guangxu, Monk Huigen from Putuo Mountain, on his way home after paying homage to Buddha in India, brought back from Myanmar 5 jade statures of Buddha of various size, and left in Shanghai 2 white-jade statues of one seated and one reclining of Sakyamuni for the specially built temple in Jiangwan, hence the name of the Temple. It was moved to the present address in 1918. Yufo Temple constructed in the style of the palace architecture of the Song Dynasty comprises the Hall of Heavenly King, the Precious Hall of Sakyamuni, the Hall of Reclining Buddha, the Pavilion of Jade Buddha etc.

As one of most precious relics in the Temple, the seated jade statue, 1.9 meters high and carved out of a single piece of jade stone has the image of a solemn Buddha and is reputed as a gem of Buddhist art works. Housed in the middle of the Pavilion of Jade Buddha, the seated statue of Buddha is decorated with dazzling Buddhist lights and gold girdles. Enshrined in the main room of the Hall of Reclining Buddha, the reclining statue of white jade, 0.96 meter long and lying on his side on a mahogany couch, is the image of Sakyamuni in nirvana with a serene and self-possessed expression. Here the air is heavy with smoke of burning incense all the year round and the sound of scripture-chanting never comes to an end.