下海庙，现地处北外滩地区昆明路73号。原名“义王庙”，又名“夏海庙”，因其位于长江入海口下海浦，故亦称下海庙。始建于清乾隆年间（1736-1795），占地一亩多，房屋九间，供奉海神，镇压海潮，渔民祈求出海平安。嘉庆年间（1796-1820）荒塌无主，比丘尼心意法师重修改为尼庵，主持法务，从此成为佛教寺庙。1937年八一三事变毁于日军炮火。1941年由桂生法师募资重建。
由于特殊原因，该寺曾一度停止开放。1990年5月成立了下海庙修复委员会，1991年1月31日正式开放。1992年6月6日举行了大殿佛像开光和昌修住持升座仪式。1999年7月3日举行了下海庙改扩建工程开工典礼，以明清建筑风格建造了天王殿、钟鼓楼、大雄宝殿、藏经楼和东西厢房。新建的下海庙规模齐整、庄严宏伟、飞檐斗拱、古朴典雅。2004年11月3日隆重举行了全堂佛像开光庆典仪式。
2005年3月举办了“下海庙成人高中学习班”， 一年半时间学习了六门课程。2006年1月5日由虹口区人民政府公布为虹口区纪念地点。2006年10月27日本寺为瑞典哥德堡号仿古帆船举行了隆重的祈福仪式。2007年5月由圣缘法师担负下海庙全面工作。
Xiahai Temple is located on 73 Kunming Road, North Bund area in Hongkou District. According to historical records, Xiahai Temple was originally named Yiwang Temple or Xiahai Temple. Though both Pronounce the same, i.e. “Xia”, in Chinese, the one in the previous name of Xiahai means "summer", while the one in the current name of Xiahai means "down to the sea" as it is located where Yangtze River flows into the sea. Built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795), Xiahai Temple, with 9 rooms set up on a 667-square-meter land, was originally a place for people to worship the Goddess of Sea and pray for tranquility at sea and safe voyage. During the reign of Emperor Jiaqing (1796-1820), Abbess Xinyi reconstructed the temple into a buddhist nunnery. In 1937, the temple was destroyed by the flames of the Japanese War. And in 1941, Abbess Guisheng had the temple rebuilt.
Because of some special reasons, Xiahai Temple was closed for a long period of time. In May 1990, the Xiahai Temple Restoration Committee was established. And on 31 Jan. 1991, the temple was reopened. On 6 June 1992, a holy ceremony was held for the opening of the Buddhist figures in the Grand Hall and for the new Abbess as well. On 3 July, 1999, a ceremony was held to celebrate the restoration & expansion project of Xiahai Temple. In the following years, a number of buildings were constructed one after another, which included the Heavenly King Hall, the Bell-drum Tower, the Grand Hall, etc. The newly-restored Xiahai Temple is in Ming and Qing architectural style. The decorations are solemn, serious, harmonious and auspicious.
Xiahai Temple was listed as one of the Memorial Site in Hongkou by the Hongkou District People’s Government on 5 Jan. 2006.
