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Places Of Worship In Shanghai

According to historical records, Shanghai was the habitat for human being 6000 years ago.
 
Since Han dynasty, the connection between Shanghai and the central plain area was enhanced. Later in Tang and Song dynasty, with the development of Jiangnan area, the economy in Shanghai developed fast. In 751 AD, Huating County was set up. Huatinghai, on the northeast of Huating County, was the location of current urban district of Shanghai.
 
In Song dynasty, Shanghai Town was established. Thanks to the frequent commercial activities, Shanghai became a prosperous trade port.
 
Then in Yuan dynasty, Shanghai Town was the first important town in Huanting County; hence, the government separated five towns from Huating County and renamed them as Shanghai County.
 
After the cancellation of the ban on maritime trade in Qing dynasty, Shanghai was unprecedentedly developed. At that time, Shanghai opened both domestic and international routes.
 
In 1840, the Opium War broke out and the British army invaded and occupied Shanghai, Nanjing and so on. Then Shanghai became one of the earliest foreign trading ports. From 1920s to 1930s, the modern industry took shape in Shanghai. After years of development, Shanghai gradually became an important base of the modern industry in China.
 
In Anti-Japanese War Period, Shanghai was occupied by Japan and was forced to be an isolated island. Due to the brutal plunder of the army, Shanghai had been destroyed heavily.
 
In 1949, Shanghai was liberated and recovered day by day. Nowadays, Shanghai is one of the most prosperous cities in China and also a national excellent tourist city. The charming Shanghai is ready to welcome friends all over the world!
 
 
Church (Catholic & Christian) in Shanghai 
 
1. Shanghai Community Fellowship (Guoji Libai Tang)
 
This is a multi-denominational Christian church that can accommodate up to 1,400 people. Located at the former French Concession, the church has members hailing from over 60 countries around the world.
How to access the church
 
At 53 Hengshan Road in Xuhui District, near the Wulumuqi Road intersection, Shanghai Community Fellowship is only a short walk from Hengshan station on Metro Line 1.
Services
 
The church holds two services at different times.
    Sunday Service: 1st Service, 2.00 - 3.30 pm; 2nd service 4.00 - 5.00 pm
    Youth Service: Sunday, 4pm only.
    Communion Service: December 24th
    Christmas Service: December 25th
    New Year's Eve Praise and Worship: December 31, 9.30 pm to 1.am
 
2. Abundant Grace International Fellowship
 
This is an interdenominational gathering, which holds services at the Hong En Church on Hongfeng Road, Jinqiao.
How to access the church
 
You could take a 990 bus from Jinqiao on Metro line 6, or bus 609 from Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park on line 2.
Services
    Saturday evening: Grace Extended
    Sunday: Trinity service, 12pm
    Sunday afternoon: Abundant Grace
    Sunday afternoon: Nursery and kids church
    Sunday, 1.30 pm: Sunday school
 
3. Moore Memorial Church (Mu En Tang)
 
This Methodist church was set up by American missionaries in 1887. Following its expansion in 1931, it can now host 1000 worshipers at a go. Although it was closed following events of the Cultural Revolution, it has now managed to regather thousands of members.
 
It is on Xizangzhong Road near Hankou Road in Huangpu District, across from the famous People’s Square.
How to reach the church
 
Use Metro Line 1, 2, or 8 and alight at People's Square Station. The Church is a short walk from there.
Services
    Sunday: 7:30am, 9:00am, 2:00pm, and 7:00pm
    Christmas Eve service: Every December 24, from 5pm
    Christmas service: Every December 25, from 6 am
 
4. All Saints Church (Zhu Sheng Tang)
 
This Methodist church was built in 1925 and has a 17th century style of construction. It features a side hall, main hall and wooden steeple. It has beautiful and attractive features such as red brick walls, a triangular roof and concrete-engraving doorpost.
 
Other notable features include a rose window and a bell tower. This tower has 63 staircases. All Saints Church can hold a total of 1000 people with the attached annex included, although the church hall alone can contain only 500 people.
    It holds Sunday services in both English and Chinese languages. The church is located at the 425 Fuxingzhong Rd near Danshui Rd in the Huangpu District.
    To access this church, use Metro Line 1 and alight at the Huangpizhong Rd Station. You can then walk from here to the church although it takes some time.
 
5. Holy Trinity Cathedral (Shànghǎi Shèng Sānyī Táng)
 
This is Shanghai's largest Anglican Church, located in the Huangpu District. It was famously known as "the Red Church" because of its red brick walls. The church has been renovated to restore its stature since destruction during the Cultural Revolution. It now has a stage, a second floor and sloping floor, thanks to the renovation works.
How to access the church
 
It is located near East Nanjing Road Metro station.
Services
Holy Trinity Cathedral hosts normal Sunday services and other notable services in the Anglican calendar from morning.
 
6. Pure Heart Church (Qingxin Tang)
 
This Presbyterian church was formerly known as The First Presbyterian Church of Shanghai. It is located in the Huangpu district on 30 Dachang Street, close to the Lujiabang Road.
How to access the church
 
Pure Heart Church is only 15 minutes walk from Nanpu Bridge on Metro Line 4. No passports are required to attend services.
Services
Sunday, 7:30am and in the evening
 
7. St. Ignatius Cathedral (Xújiahuì Tianzhutáng)
 
This Roman Catholic church is located to the North of Shanghai Stadium in Xujiahui district. It is the most famous cathedral in the metropolis. It was later restored to its current status after destruction during the Cultural Revolution.
 
Although it previously had numerous facilities including an orphanage, a publishing house, a dedicated weather station, library and a college, only the church and part of the school remain today.
 
St. Ignatius Cathedral can accommodate 4,000 people at full capacity. Once the highest building in Shanghai, its architectural style and exquisite workmanship reveal the history of European architecture.
 
On the interior are paintings of the Last Supper, stone columns and Gothic ceilings. It also has stained glass windows.
Accessing the Church
 
Just north of Shanghai Stadium, 8 kilometers from People's Square, the church is open every Sunday.
 
Tourists can visit on Saturdays 1–4pm and Sundays 2–4pm, and will be taken around by volunteers. It takes about 30 minutes to visit all the church's sights.
Masses
    Main service: Sunday, 10:00 am
    Bishop’s Mass: Sunday, 7.00 am
    Children's Mass: Saturday, 4.30pm
 
 
8. Sacred Heart of Jesus (Hong Kou Ye Su Sheng Xin Tang)
 
This is a less touristy option for Catholics. Located on the East of east of the Huangpu River along 151 Hongfeng Road, off Pudong Road, the church's structure has been renovated after destruction during the Culture Revolution. It's membership comprise of a mixture of nationals and expatriates.
 
How to reach the church
 
Take metro line 6 to Yunchan Road and take exit 1. From there it takes 40 minutes to walk to the church: two blocks along the Zhangyang East Road you will see a Mercedes dealership on the street corner; turn left on Zaozhuang Road, and you will see the church on the left.
 
Sacred Heart of Jesus is walking distance from the Shanghai Marriott Hotel.
Services/Mass
 
This church hosts English language services every Sunday and Saturday at 8am.
    Chinese mass: Sunday, 10. 30 am
    English mass: Monday to Friday, 7.00 am
 
Chinese mass attendants are allowed a 20 minutes confession before start of the Saturday and Sunday services. There are also other masses observed in accordance to the Catholic calendar, including Christmas day mass.
 
9. St.Peter's Church (Sheng Bo Duo Lu Tang)
 
This church was built in 1930s and attracts worshipers from different countries around the world. Built in the Byzantine style, it features five chapels and a central dome. Chapels are on the ground floor while the church hall is on the second floor.
 
It is a unique catholic church because it holds masses in French, German and Korean, in addition to English and Chinese languages.
How to access the church
 
St. Peter's Church is located along 270 Chongqing South Road near Fuxingzhong Road, in Huangpu District. Foreigners are not required to show a passport to attend masses.
English Masses
    Saturday, 5.00pm
    Sunday, 12.00 noon
 
10. Russian Orthodox Church, Shanghai
 
The reopening of this church on May 2013 showed a rebirth of Orthodox churches in the country. Attendants are required to show passports at the gate. Russian tourists and residents can attend the church to remind themselves of their country's traditions and culture.
 
Its reopening marked the end of 51 years of closure since the Cultural Revolution.
 
The Russian Orthodox Church is at 55 Xinle Road at the Orthodox Mission Cathedral and follows the Julian "old-style" calendar. The building, which was renovated in 1988, also hosts a gallery/museum within. Thus, lovers of museums can include this and the Shanghai Museum during a tour around the metropolis.
 
Another church open to Russians while on visit to Shanghai is the Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas on Gaolan Road.
 
Services
Regular Sunday services are held in one of the church building along the 20 Huangpu Rd, while Great Feasts are celebrated at St. Nicholas Church.
    Sunday service: 8. am
    Divine Liturgy: Sunday, 10.00 am
 
Buddhist Temples in Shanghai 
 
Donglin Temple 
The Donglin Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the town of Zhujing, Jinshan District, Shanghai, China. It is dedicated to Guan Yin, the bodhisattva of compassion.
 
The temple was first constructed during the Yuan Dynasty in 1308, but has been destroyed repeatedly by war, fire, neglect, and to make way for reconstruction. The only remaining historical building on the site (a hall) was listed as a city-level protected cultural site in 1987. The temple was complete redesigned and rebuilt in the years 2004 to 2007.
 
Jade Buddha Temple
The Jade Buddha Temple is a Buddhist temple in Shanghai, China. As with many modern Chinese Buddhist temples, the current temple draws from both the Pure Land and Chan traditions of Mahayana Buddhism. It was founded in 1882 with two jade Buddha statues imported to Shanghai from Burma by sea. These were a sitting Buddha (1.95 meters tall, 3 tonnes), and a smaller reclining Buddha representing the Buddha's death. The temple now also contains a much larger reclining Buddha made of marble, donated from Singapore, and visitors may mistake this larger sculpture for the original, smaller piece.
 
Jing'an Temple
Jing'an Temple is a Buddhist temple on the West Nanjing Road in Shanghai, China. Jing'an District, where it is located, is named after the temple.
 
The temple was first built in 247 AD in the Wu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period of ancient China. Originally located beside the Suzhou Creek, it was relocated to its current site in 1216 during the Song Dynasty. The current temple was rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty but, during the Cultural Revolution, the temple was converted into a plastic factory. In 1983, it was returned to its original purpose and renovated with the Jing'An Pagoda completed in 2010.
 
Longhua Temple
The Longhua Temple is a Buddhist Temple dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha located in Shanghai, China. Although most of the present-day buildings date from later reconstructions, the temple preserves the architectural design of a Song dynasty monastery of the Chan School. It is the largest, most authentic and complete ancient temple complex in the city of Shanghai.
 
Taoist (Daoist) Temples in Shanghai 
 
Shanghai Royal Yangdian Taoist Temple
Not only the oldest but the largest in Shanghai, the Royal Yangdian Taoist Temple was originally built during the Three Kingdoms period (3rd century), and has since been refurbished, restored and rebuilt on several occasions, the last time in 2007. During the Qing period Emperor Qianlong renamed it Qinci Yangdian, and it is often known by that name now. The Temple provides a peaceful haven amidst the hustle and bustled of the Pudong District, and a nice reminder of traditional Chinese buildings amongst the ultramodern architecture that surrounds it.
 
There are a number of Halls, honouring Taoist deities. The Hall of the Three Clear Ones houses three massive statues, in another you’ll find a golden array of Taoist generals, as well as a Hall for storing the scriptures, and of course many spots to burn joss sticks and make special requests to the dongyue (daoist) gods.
 
Location: No.476 Yuanshen road Pudong 
 
Mosques (Masjid) in Shanghai 
 
Shanghai Songjiang Mosque 
It is the oldest Islamic mosque in Shanghai district. It is not a regular tourist attraction, but it is an active mosque that people say feels peaceful and has gardens. You can see a mixture of Islamic and Chinese architecture.
 
Muslims began to build this mosque complex about 1364-1367 near the end of the Yuan Empire period (1271-1368). In the Ming Empire era (1368-1644), rulers ordered that the mosque be rebuilt in 1391. During the Qing Empire era (1644-1911), they renovated the complex several times. The main buildings are the main hall, a prayer area, a corridor, two teaching halls, and a bath house. The Bangke Gate Tower or the Minaret Tower rises above the complex and is a classical Arabic architecuture. The place of worship shows Ming Dynasty architectural style. There are four plaques that date from the reigns of four emperors:  Kang Xi, Jia Qing, Dao Guang, and Tong Zhi. Read more on history of Islam in China
 
Location: 43 Middle Part of Middle Mountain Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai. 
 
Shanghai Xiaotaoyuan Mosque
The Xiaotaoyuan Mosque is the largest mosque in the city of Shanghai and the nearby areas. It was first built in 1917 and rebuilt in 1925. It contains a spacious courtyard in the temple. To the west of the yard is a square grand prayer hall covering an area of 500 square meters. It is a two-floor building that can hold 500 people during prayer. In the east of the yard is another hall building. The second and third floors hold a library and a reading room that store different versions of Koran and Islamic cultural relics. The first floor is used as a teaching room. To the north of the yard are the imam room, the guesthouse, and the water house.
 
Location: 52 Xiaotaoyuan Street, Nanshi District, Shanghai 
 
Shanghai Huxi Mosque 
The Shanghai Huxi Mosque is the first rebuilt mosque in Shanghai after the establishment of new China. It demonstrates a strong Arabic Islamic architectural style.
 
The new Huxi Mosque covers an area of 1,667 square meters. The prayer hall is a two-floor building with double arches and a fan-shaped roof, and connects to two porches. The teaching room, imam office, guesthouse, and bath house can be found in the building. There are fountains in the front and back of the yard. The design of the temple is rather flexible and its atmosphere is quiet and elegant.
 
Location: 3 Lane, 1328 Changde Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 
 
Shanghai Pudong Mosque 
The Shanghai Pudong Mosque was first built in 1935, and the rebuilt temple covers an area of 1,650 square meters. The temple gate faces to the north and a spacious courtyard sits inside. To the west of the yard is the prayer hall, which can hold about 100 people during prayer. To the south of the hall are the imam room, the water house, and the office. This Xuanli building is 36 meters high, making it the highest tower in Shanghai.
 
Location: 375 Yuansheng Road, Pudong District, Shanghai 
 
 
 
 
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