Unlike most temples in China, Jade Buddha Temple is set in the busy downtown of Putuo District, northwest of Shanghai. Yet it has successfully kept its natural quietude and sanctity, being admired by both Buddhists and visitors. Jade Buddha Temple was originally built to place two Buddha statues brought from Myanmar by a venerable monk in 1882. But what visitors see today is rebuilt work subsequent to its being destroyed in the Revolution of 1911, which ended Chinese feudal society.

Jade Buddha Temple was built in Song Dynasty monastery style-clear in order, smart in structure and sumptuous. Three main halls are arrayed on the axis of the temple- the Devajara Hall, Mahavira Hall and the Jade Buddha Tower, which are matched with many other halls at sides. Altogether, there are over 200 rooms occupying 8,000 square meters of space.

The Jade Buddha Tower is named after a sitting Sakyamuni statue it houses, which is the most important treasure in the temple. It measures 1.95 m and was carved out of one block of jade, portraying the moment of meditation and enlightenment of Sakyamuni. Plum cheek, half-open eyes, tight tips and mild smile, the statue looks serene and peaceful. But the marvelous point is that he seems to be benignly looking at you wherever you are in the room. This statue, glittering and translucent carving, is decorated with over one hundred of agates and emeralds.

Another treasure of the temple is a 96 cm recumbent Buddha, lying on the right side with the right hand supporting the body and the left hand resting on the left leg. This is the posture when Sakyamuni left the world and became deified at the age of 80. The placid and transcendental expression seems so natural and vivid, and the smooth and floating hems reveal the masterly workmanship.

There are also many other Buddha sculptures in the temple, including another 4 m recumbent Buddha statue, which brought form Singapore in 1989. Moreover, over 7,000 sutras are stored in the Jade Buddha Tower. They without exception are valuable cultural relics.