Reopened temple draws long line of visitors
Visitors line up outside the Jade Buddha Temple on its reopening day on Friday.
A line of visitors was waiting outside the gates of Shanghai's Jade Buddha Temple at 7am on Friday, the first day of its reopening.
“I made a wish last year, and my granddaughter was admitted to University of Sydney. So, I suppose that I should come to redeem my vow as soon as possible,” said a 79-year-old visitor surnamed Sun.
A 67-year-old woman surnamed Lin who came with her friends said: “I come to this temple very often, and it's an important habit of mine. I learn things and make friends here. I sometimes had nothing to do when the temple was closed. But now I'm glad to come again.”
Many senior citizens came on Friday after making reservations online, either by themselves or with the help of their children.
The temple, built in 1882 and renowned for its Jade Buddha statue, is one of the city’s most popular sites, attracting 1.2 million visitors per year, a third from abroad.
It has been closed since January 24, or Chinese New Year's Eve, due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes in China, the temple is reopening between 8am and 4pm, starting from Friday. About 3,000 visitors will be admitted every day. Online reservations, health codes, masks and temperature checks are required for guests.
Visitors show their reservation and health codes to staff at the entrance of the temple.
Visitors show their reservation and health codes to staff at the temple.
Visitors are reminded to keep social distance at the temple.
A sign reminds visitors to keep social distance at the temple.
