Panlong'an — Attraction in Shanghai

This is a temple within the bigger Panlong Tiandi which is like an old water town.

One of the 古镇s in Shanghai but I think this is way better than Zhujiajiao. Most of the architecture remains, but modern brands have moved in under. So on the outside you still get the old town vibes with the ancient buildings, stone bridges and waterway. But because it just "opened", everything looks clean and nice, including the toilets.

Recommend coming in the evening around 5pm so you can see the place both in the light, as well as after sunset, when the lights come on and presents a different vibe. It looks better at night, but captures on photos better in the day.

There are also many kids-friendly activities here, from an outdoor inflatable obstacle course pool, to an open water-fountain area, to a stable that offers pony riding to cat petting shops.

A wide variety of cafes and restaurants here but prices are all on the higher end (think attraction level), the cheapest option here is probably McDonald's.

It is easily accessible by metro (Line 17) about an hr from central Shanghai city (Pudong/Hongkou area). Zhujiajiao is also now accessible by the same line, many more stops after Panlong. I definitely like this place better...

If you are interested in seeing an authentic ancient water town, there are many truly amazing ones in Shanghai and Suzhou.

This, on the complete other hand, is a "restored" water town, basically a shopping centre in the guise of an ancient city, with lots of false ancient buildings, gates, bridges and lanes. The worst part for me is that all the false, prefabricated "ancient" buildings disturb the experience of appreciating the few true ancient buildings.

If you want to get some photos on a "movie set" version of ancient China, this may be your place (no judgment!) But if you are seeking genuine ancient views and vistas, I would encourage going elsewhere.

Note: The Panlong district is easily accessible from Subway Line 17, only 2 stops from Hongqiao Railway Station. This accessibility means that there are significant crowds, especially on weekends, unsurprisingly.

The Panlong Temple is only open from 10AM to 4PM. At 4:00, the monks will pretty unceremoniously usher you out so get there early enough to enjoy...

蟠龙庵，地处青浦区徐泾蟠龙村。蟠龙庵始建年代不详，当地俗称“古庙”或“圣堂”。中国上海市青浦区徐泾镇蟠龙村蟠龙庵是一座历史悠久的寺院，蟠龙庵是由“蟠龙大寺”即“普门教寺”与圣堂两个寺院合并而成。大寺位于村北，圣堂位于村南。二十世纪九十年代起，蟠龙庵恢复宗教活动，以后逐渐重建大殿、配殿及附属建筑。2001年获准正式登记。 蟠龙镇（又名盘龙镇），以坐落于蟠龙塘（又称盘龙港）之西侧而得名,现为青浦区徐泾镇蟠龙居委所在地.清光绪元年《盘龙镇志》中记载“其地处青邑东境，与上海县接壤，曲水萦居,溪桥鱼唱,盖鱼米之乡.镇建于清初,历三百余年,发展为东西长一里,南北长半里之十字街,里人从事耕织,群居于此”。抗日战争期间，镇上有米行、米厂10多家，是向上海市区输送粮食的主要集镇之一。解放后，曾为龙固区政府驻地。现蟠龙居委会，有总人口2743人。辖区内还保存有区级文物保护单位香花桥和香客云集的蟠龙庵堂。徐泾蟠龙古镇也即将成为上海市又一个历史文化风貌保护区。...