Jinghai Temple was built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di, built it to praise Zheng He’s maritime achievements. At the same time, it was built to enshrine the Arhat portraits, Buddha teeth, jade ornaments and other items brought back by Zheng He from foreign lands, as well as living plants of exotic flowers and rare trees. It was given the name ‘Jinghai Temple’, which means calm in all seas and peace under heaven. Temple layout: The temple is backed by Lion Mountain in the north, adjacent to Tianfei Palace in the east, and bordered by the moat in the west, covering an area of about 20,000 square meters. There are main halls such as the Mahavira Hall and halls for Heavenly Kings, the main Buddha, Guanyin, Samghārāma, Wheel Repository, Maitreya, and Patriarchs. There are also more than 80 buildings such as Chaoyin Pavilion, Bell Tower, Well Pavilion, Huayan Tower, and Wanxian Pavilion. With a large scale, it can be called a famous temple in Jinling. Zheng He lived here in his later years. ‘Negotiation site’ of the Treaty of Nanjing: In 1842, Britain launched a war. Jinghai Temple became the ‘negotiation site’ for the Treaty of Nanjing between China and Britain. The two sides negotiated four times in the temple. On August 29, the first unequal treaty in Chinese history – the Treaty of Nanjing between China and Britain – was officially signed on a British warship ‘HMS Cornwallis’ moored near Jinghai Temple. In 1987, a 628-square-meter imitation Ming architecture was rebuilt on the original site. Since it is not a restoration of the original appearance, it is called ‘the old site of Jinghai Temple’. In 1990, it was opened as a historical materials exhibition hall of the Treaty of Nanjing. An expansion was carried out to welcome the return of Hong Kong, making the total area of the exhibition hall reach 2,800 square meters. Opening hours: Open from Tuesday to Sunday all year round from 09:00 to 17:00; Closed all day on Monday all year round. The specific business status is subject to the opening situation on that day.
Nanjing Jinghai Temple Memorial Hall
Jinghai Temple was built during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. Emperor Chengzu of the Ming D[...]
