Chen Xiang GeSi
A functioning Buddhist nunnery housed in authentic Ming-dynasty buildings dating from the year 1600. It is near the more famous Cheng Huang Miao, but down a side alley off of the main street at 29 Chen Xiang Ge Lu. It was closed during the Cultural Revolution and reopened in 1994.
White Cloud Taoist Temple (Bai Yun Guab)
This is a functioning Taoist temple built in 1882. Each day you can see worshippers and monks performing authentic ceremonies including playing various musical instruments, chanting long hymns, burning incense and paper money. There is a training school for new Taoist monks. Despite its fascinating nature, this temple is se1dom visited by foreign tourists, probably due its location. Located down a long narrow alley Way which begins near the Lao Xi Men (Old West Gate) police station just off Xizang Nan Lu. Look for the decorative gate over the alley Way's entrance, read the English language sign on the wall, then follow the long alley Way to its end. Plain looking walls on the outside disguise the beautiful courtyard structure within. Look upward at the rooftop ornaments of historical figures brandishing weapons and wearing traditional clothes, as wc1l as nature scenes of sacred animals. This is also the headquarters of the Shanghai Taoist Association. It is located at 8 Xilin Hou Lu, Lane l00, Lao Ximen District.
Fa Zang Jiang Si
A Buddhist Temple located at the comer of Fuxing Lu and Ji An Lu, within walking distance from Huaihai Zhong Lu and Huangpi Nan Lu metro station. It is an impressive pre-revolutionary temple. During the Cultural Revolution it was a factory, much like Chenghuang Miao was. A community of resident monks lives here. The worshippers and monks are friendly and welcome the chance to explain their faith to visitors. They belong to the Pure Land Sect which worships Amitabha Pusa or Om-i-to-fu. This sect has an almost Christian belief in an after-death rebirth in a Western Land or Pure Land similar to heaven.
Xiao Tao Yuan Mosque
First established in 1917, and renovated in 1925, today this is a functioning mosque which also serves as the headquarters of the Shanghai Islamic Association. It is situated at 52 Xiao Tao Yuan Lu in the Nanshi District.
Shanghai Botanical Gardens (Shanghai Zhiwuyuan)
South of the Longhua Pagoda at 1l l Long Wu Lu, the gardens' greenhouses, bamboo groves and flower gardens cover some 67 hectares (165 acres) of land. Among the gardens' miniature penjing trees is a pomegranate over 240 years old.
Gui Lin Park (Gui Lin Gong Yuan)
This traditional Chinese garden is full of wooden pavilions, lakes, trees, flowers, and a tea house. It was built in 1931 by a famous Shanghai gangster, Huang Jin Rong, who dreamt of living the life of a Confucian mandarin. While sitting within its walls you can forget that you are in a city. It is located on the corner of Gui Lin Lu and Cao Bao Lu.
Shanghai Zoo (Shanghai Dong Wu Yuan)
Across 70 hectares, the zoo houses over 600 species of animals including giant pandas from Sichuan, golden-haired monkey which once frequented the Yangtze gorges and rare Yangtze River alligators. It is situated at 2381 Hong Qiao Lu, near the airport.
Shanghai Wild Animal Park (Shanghai Yeshen Dong Wu Yuan)
This park is populated with lions, tigers and bears. Visitors have been confined to tour buses after a man was killed by a lion several years ago. It is located in Pudong.