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Visitors admire Buddha statues on display at the Shanghai Xiangdong Buddha Museum in Jiading district, Shanghai. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn] |
Taking up about 7,000 square meters, the Shanghai Xiangdong Buddha Museum boasts more than 1,000 Buddha statues, dating from the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-581) to the Republic of China (1911-1949).
The statues, varying from serene and graceful to powerful and strong, span a broad range of styles, postures, and expressions, as there are standing, sitting, solemn, and relaxed Buddhas on display. The museum also encompasses a range of exquisite techniques developed in Chinese sculptural art and represents many different periods.
For instance, the museum provides a glimpse of Tibetan Buddhism, which absorbs a variety of cultures and arts from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Furthermore, there is diversity in terms of the materials used. There are gold, silver, bronze, iron, porcelain, ivory, and rosewood sculptures. For those intrigued by Buddhist sculpture, Shanghai Xiangdong Buddha Museum is certainly a great place to spend a ponderous afternoon.
There are five exhibition halls in the museum. The carving skills are superb, reflecting the profound spirit of Chinese Buddhist art and the history of different periods of time.
Address: No 4532, Huyi Road, Jiading district, Shanghai Ticket price: 45 yuan Opening hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Tel: 86-21-6996 8885, 6996 8108