Shanghai Confucian Temple （South Gate） — Local services in Shanghai

A nice surprise in the middle of older neighborhood - hosts a used book market on Sundays. We went to see the used book market and ended up with two enjoyable parts in one visit. We took the metro and walked to the temple following the phone map app, which took us through the older surrounding neighborhood. Everyone was friendly and one lady helped point us around the corner to the southern gate entrance. I've added pics of the neighborhood. If you want the full access then pay 10RMB, otherwise you can just go to the book market inside the inner courtyard. 10RMB lets you go into the temple as well as the other courtyards. If you go early for the book market (0730-1500) then you pretty much have the other areas to yourself. Go towards the temple and the guards will ask for your tickets. Most people think they cannot go up, but that us what your ticket paid for.

PROs Well maintained and off the main tourist route yet still easy to get to. Super cheap Friendly helpful guards beautiful artwork in back courtyards Used book market on Sunday mornings until 3pm. Great finds and deals to be made.

CONs Can be a little intimidating with a guard standing before the steps into the temple, but he's just there to make sure the market crowd doesn't spread out. Map apps can take you to other gates that are not open. Go to the southern gate on Wenmiao.

Enjoy both the market and the temple as a slice of...

Unlike northern counterparts, this temple's gray bricks absorb humidity, preventing mildew in Shanghai's damp climate. The ceremonial yueqin (moon guitar) in the music pavilion stays in tune despite temperature swings—its silk strings were woven with nanofiber coatings. Students still rub the stone kui statue's forehead before exams, polishing the granite to a mirror shine...

This is one of the most beautiful temples and gardens in shanghai. It's less crowded and the tea house is really good. They speak english and for 60 yuan you get to try many kinds of teas, including the confucian teas that are sold only...