Shanghai Surprise

“Nobody can bring you peace but yourself.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is always a pleasure to stop in Shanghai and see friends as well as check out the latest in China’s contemporary arts scene. Immediately, I can describe the city as a vital and highly inspiring Asian city. It has many brilliant artists and creative intellects, and there are circles of artists from all over the world stirring up soaring energies, which make people turn their heads and open their eyes.

Shanghai is the largest city in China and the largest metropolitan area in the world. The city is big and growing bigger everyday. The changes are everywhere even with the global recession. Dubai is shaking, but Shanghai is roaring with its consistent changes. One can’t stay away for long, and when returning, one’s favorite corner flower shop may be replaced with a huge development topped with a flagship store from any luxury brand.

In between busy meetings and high energy-charged inspirational trips, I finally found a day to do nothing—to enjoy a less hyped and region appropriate tour of the Jade Buddha Temple.  As I am a spiritual person, as opposed to religious, I wanted to visit a place where I could find some spiritual energy. The temple was a perfect moment to unwind without investing too much of my time and effort. My visit was effortless and simply accomplished. I would recommend it to everyone who is ever caught in crazily wild Shanghai.

The Jade Buddha Temple is a modern temple established since the finding of two jade Buddha statues from Burma in 1882. The temple closed during the Cultural Revolution; although, they celebrated the 2500th anniversary of Buddha’s enlightenment in 1956. During the mid 1980’s the temple was reopened and recognized as the Shanghai Institute of Buddhism.

I’ve taken some limited snapshots from my last visit to the temple. I hope that you’ll enjoy them.