Jade Buddha Temple was founded in 1882 with two jade Buddha statues imported to Shanghai from Burma by sea, a seated Buddha (1.95 metres tall, 3 tonnes), and a smaller reclining Buddha representing his peaceful death. The temple now also contains a much larger reclining Jade Buddha, donated from Singapore, and visitors sometimes mistake this larger sculpture for the original, smaller piece.

The Chamber of Four Heavenly Kings contains a laughing Maitreya, a Wei-to Boddhisattva and the Four Heavenly Kings, who represent favourable circumstance. The chamber is located on the southern-edge, or 'front' of the temple.

The Grand Hall, also called the Great Hall, this hall contains many statues, including: The Jade Buddha Chamber is in the northern section of the temple, on the second floor. A fee of 10 yuan is charged to ascend to it. Some additional Buddhist sculptures are also viewable in the antechamber.

The public restaurant is located on level two at the eastern edge of the temple and equipped with its own street entrance. Open daily, it serves a range of noodle dishes for five yuan per bowl, the most popular of which is double mushroom noodles. Other dishes are served at moderate prices.

The temple also contains a private restaurant for monks and temple volunteers, which is at the western edge of the temple complex. There is a visitor services office adjacent to the southern entrance, and a Buddhist library is also on the premises.

The Jade Buddha Temple is a good place to go whether you are a Buddhist or not, the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere enhance a kind of richness to our busy modern society.