SHANGHAI · HANGZHOU
The famous temples of Shanghai and Hangzhou are for a quiet visit; we have found no current overnight programmes at them. To stay and practise, take a short train ride to a quieter temple in Zhejiang, or go on to Shaolin and Wudang.
Medicine Buddha Hall, Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou Photo credits
Updated ·
From Shanghai Hongqiao, trains reach Jinshan North in 18 minutes and Hangzhou East in 45. Fuyuan Chan Temple near Jinshan North has held free weekend retreats but has no 2026 retreat date yet. Zhenningjing in Qingtian hosts students at New Year. Shaolin is 3 h 42 min away via Zhengzhou East. Ask each venue directly.
Ask us about a stay near Shanghai and Hangzhou| Place | Type | Getting there from Shanghai and Hangzhou | Price | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuyuan Chan Temple, Pinghu | Chan temple | Trains from Shanghai Hongqiao to Jinshan North take 18–20 min (10 trains on 10 November 2026), and from Shanghai South 19–26 min (7 trains). The temple is about 20 minutes from Jinshan North by taxi. | Free, with lodging and vegetarian meals; donations welcome. Past retreats ran for three or seven days, the latest confirmed from 30 April to 6 May 2025. No 2026 retreat date is published; a two-day traditional Chinese medicine course runs on 14–15 November 2026. | Notices are in Mandarin only. By phone in November 2026 the guest office said it is open to discussing foreign guests; ask whether a passport is accepted at check-in. |
| Futuo Temple, Yuhang | Temple overnight through an organiser | The organiser’s two-day route leaves from Shanghai as a group; a separate temple notice places Futuo in Baizhang, Yuhang, Hangzhou. Confirm the meeting point and address. | One temple night in a twin or triple room with vegetarian meals. No price or departure date could be read: the organiser’s pages returned server errors on 4 November 2026. | Not stated; foreign admission is unconfirmed. The organiser’s summer route was for ages 18–45. |
| Place | Type | Getting there from Shanghai and Hangzhou | Price | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zhenningjing Temple, Qingtian | Buddhist temple | Trains to Qingtian take 2 h 56 min to 3 h 19 min from Shanghai Hongqiao (5 trains on 10 November 2026) and 1 h 46 min to 2 h 19 min from Hangzhou East (18 trains). Ask the organiser about the last leg to the temple. | Stay and meals free, with a suggested donation of RMB 300 a day, from 30 December 2026 to 2 January 2027. University students only; organised by Hai Hui Shan, a Melbourne foundation. | The organiser takes international groups; ask whether temple teaching is interpreted into English. |
| Place | Type | Getting there from Shanghai and Hangzhou | Price | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaolin Temple Traditional Kungfu Training Center | Kung fu school in the Shaolin scenic area | Trains from Shanghai Hongqiao to Zhengzhou East take 3 h 42 min to 6 h 41 min (43 trains on 10 November 2026), and from Hangzhou East 4 h 26 min to 7 h 28 min (13 trains). The centre is 300 m east of Shaolin Temple and publishes no directions from Zhengzhou East; ask when you book. | No fixed prices: quotes depend on the room, the length of stay (from 1–3 days to a year) and the group size; meals are included in quotes. | Ask; the centre takes foreign students and sends visa invitation letters. |
| Shaolin Pastoral Kungfu School (Xuantian Temple) | Kung fu school at Xuantian Temple | The same trains to Zhengzhou East. The school is at Xuantian Temple, 3.5 km east of Shaolin Temple; free pickup comes with stays of three months or more. | One week US$700, one month US$1,250, three months US$3,750; a room with shower and air conditioning, meals and tuition included. | Not stated; ask before booking. |
One of Hangzhou’s oldest temples, in the Lingyin Feilaifeng scenic area. Under the scenic area’s notice, entry has been free since 1 December 2025, with hours 07:30–17:30 (last entry 17:00). Book one to seven days ahead under your real name on the “杭州灵隐飞来峰” mini-programme in Alipay or WeChat; passports are accepted, and unused places can be taken on site with the original document. Checked 4 November 2026.
A working Chan temple at 170 Anyuan Road. According to its own website, it opens 08:00–16:30 except on major festivals. The website does not state a current ticket price, so check on the day or call 021-62663668. Checked 4 November 2026.
Hongqiao is Shanghai’s main station for these trains: 109 trains that day run to Hangzhou East in 45 min to 1 h 27 min. One direct train a day, G3230, runs from Shanghai Hongqiao to Wudangshan West in 7 h 57 min; there is no direct train from Hangzhou East. All train times are from 12306 for 10 November 2026. Compare more places to stay and practise in our guides:
We have not visited these places. Travel times are the timetable figures for the date shown; confirm dates, prices and admission with each host.