Standing at the confluence of the Central Canal (Beida/Caohe) and the Dianpu River, Yuanjin Monastery is one of Zhujiajiao`s most significant spiritual landmarks. Founded in 1341 during the Yuan Dynasty, this Buddhist complex has witnessed the life of the water town for nearly 700 years, serving as both a place of worship and a strategic point for river trade.
Architectural Grandeur: A Tower Over the Canals
The monastery`s main hall is a three-story wooden pagoda standing 18 meters tall, making it one of Zhujiajiao`s tallest historical structures. Visitors can climb to the top floor to enjoy panoramic views of:
• The winding waters of the Central Canal,
• The bustling boat traffic on the Dianpu River,
• The red-tiled roofs of Ming and Qing Dynasty houses.
The main temple measures 12 x 15 meters. Its eaves curve in the classic Yuan Dynasty style, adorned with ceramic guardian figures at each corner.
Sacred Sculptures: A Pantheon of Wood and Gold
The monastery houses four principal statues, each with a unique story:
Main Hall: Thousand-Armed Guanyin
• A gilded sandalwood statue (3.2 meters tall),
• 1,058 miniature arms symbolizing boundless compassion,
• Surrounded by 18 Luohan (Arhat) figures carved from camphor wood.
Hall of Heavenly Kings. Four Heavenly Kings (Si Da Tianwang):
• Virūḍhaka (South) – Guardian of growth, wielding a sword,
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra (East) – Protector of music, holding a pipa,
• Vaiśravaṇa (North) – Deity of wealth with a pearl-spitting mongoose,
• Virūpākṣa (West) – Watcher of the unseen, entwined with a serpent.
Inner Courtyard: Laughing Maitreya
• A bronze statue from the Ming Dynasty (1.8 meters tall),
• Flanked by two stone qilin (mythical hoofed guardians).
Hidden Gem: Underground Dragon Altar
Beneath the main hall lies a rare underground altar featuring:
• A black jade dragon coiled around a pearl (symbolizing the spirit of the Dianpu River),
• 108 niches with miniature Buddha statues in the walls.
Historical Significance of Yuanjin Monastery
• 1341: Founded by monk Huiri to bless merchant ships arriving in Zhujiajiao.
• 1634 (Ming Dynasty): Expanded with the addition of a bell tower (now housing a 2-ton bronze bell).
• 1860 (Qing Dynasty): Survived the Taiping Rebellion; its sutra library was secretly preserved.
• 2003: Restored using traditional dougong bracket systems.
Best time to visit: Dawn or dusk, when the light paints the canals golden. Don`t miss ringing the Clarity Bell (three strikes for health, wealth, and wisdom). Nearby is Qinglong Bridge (3-minute walk west), where monks once blessed fishing boats. Unlike Zhujiajiao`s smaller temples, this monastery physically and spiritually connects the town`s two lifelines—the canal and the river. Many of its statues predate Shanghai itself, offering a living link to medieval Chinese Buddhist art.
