Random Other Sights and Sculpture in Shanghai

In my morning strolls through Shanghai, I run across many random sights.  But, one that I see in every China city is the morning is the exercise group in the park.

Morning exercises

Outside the park, people are using the sunny day to dry nuts on the sidewalk and we all walk carefully around them.

Nuts drying

A little further along, there are tiny statues alongside the sidewalk to amuse and delight us all.

  Along the sidewalk

I find a guard cat protecting someone's bicycle.  Later on, a different guard cat is off the job and, apparently, not afraid of being stepped on (as safe as the drying nuts).

 Guard cat on and off the job

A little further along, a great juxtaposition of old and new shows up, the Jing'an Temple nestled between the modern city buildings. The temple is located on Nanjing Road, above Xujiahui, about 45 minutes (3.4 km/2.1 miles) from People's Square.  The Jing'an Temple is a Buddhist temple, first build in 247AD and relocated to its current site in 1216.  During the cultural revolution, the temple was turned into a plastics factory, but returned to serve as a temple in 1983.  It fits perfectly into the modern structures that surround it.

Jing'an Temple

Along the road, a fast-food store advertises whimsically and a delivery bicycle carries water through the city.

 Fast food here

Bottled water delivery vehicle

Shanghai is full of small parks, gardens, and public art scattered throughout the neighborhoods of the city.  As I walk around the city, I pass by and through many of these delightful experiences.  Parks are located near most neighborhoods to give the residents someplace to relax and something beautiful to view.

Small parks and gardens scattered throughout the city

Delightful sculptures and other works of art are located in the parks and on the streets, offering something new and interesting around every corner.

Sculpture along the streets and in the parks

One of the big reasons I truly enjoy wandering around this magical city is the great effort that has been put in to create beauty everywhere and to share it with the citizens and visitors who take the time to look around.  Shanghai is constantly changing and there are new things to discover every time I visit.  I'll keep coming back to see what has changed and what hasn't.

Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai

The Jade Buddha Temple is a Buddhist temple established in Shanghai in 1882.  Originally, two jade Buddhas, a sitting Buddha and a reclining Buddha, were imported from Burma and located in the temple.  Later, a larger reclining Buddha made of marble was brought in from Singapore and the collection of ornate statues continued to grow from there.

The temple is located in a busy residential area of Shanghai, about 3.5 km (2.2 miles) from People's Park.

 Entrance to the Jade Buddha Temple

Upon entering the temple, there are peaceful courtyards and walkways connecting the buildings, with the skyscrapers of Shanghai looking down on this tranquil setting.

 Courtyards and walkways

The buildings of the temple are small, each containing a different representation of Buddha.

Temple buildings

Walking into the temple buildings (and peering into the ones closed to public access), I admire the sitting and reclining Buddhas (no pictures are allowed in the room with the sitting jade Buddha).

 Reclining Buddhas, in jade and marble

Other great Buddha statues are located in other buildings of the compound.

 Buddha statues

 And, surrounding the Buddha statues are statues of important warriors and politicians of the time.

 Other statues accompanying Buddha

Places and alters for worship, to burn incense, and to make other offerings are located throughout the compound.

Worship

The Jade Buddha Temple is beautiful, well maintained and perfectly located in the heart of Shanghai