Xian Chengdu Hangzhou Suzhou Shanghai Trip
April 12, 2008. After tea plantation, we went to visit the Linying Temple and Flying Peak. In the caves on the Feilai Hill( Flying Peak), there are some over 300 Buddhist stone carvings with a long history back to the Five Dynasties, the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). These grandeur carvings has high artistic value. With solemn mountains and tall trees circling the temple, the Lingyin Temple is a spectacular site with lots of cultural relics.
The Lingyin (Souls Retreat) Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist Temples in China. It was constructed in 326 at the foot of Lingyin Mountain by an Indian monk named Huili with a history of more than 1,600 years. The temple has the Front Hall, the Hall and the Hall of Herb Masters. China¡¯s largest wood-carving of sitting Buddha Sakyamuni sits in the Magnificent Hall.The main hall is 33.6 meters in height. The main hall is one of China's highest one-story buildings. In the main hall there is a statue of Sakyamuni carved out of 24 pieces of camphor wood,lies 19.6 meters in height in the main hall. In the font hall there is a laughing Buddha carved in camphor wood and covered in gold.
We had dinner today on the second floor at Lily Hotel. After dinner, we went to see the long-expected performance - West Lake Impression, a fantastic show designed by the most famous film director - Zhang Yimou. It tells the story of the legend" White Snake", the household folk love story in China. Everybody was moved and touched by the performance. Impression West Lake - a unique outdoor performance in a natural stage setting. Located at the scenic Yue Lake of the West Lake area in Hangzhou, and in harmony with its world famous landscape, Impression West Lake is the most beautiful outdoor theater with natural mountains and water as its backdrop.
After the tea plantation, we drove to Linying Temple. Opposit the entrance is the wall with the four Chinese charactors literallly meaning" a step away from the heaven".
Pose before the entrance to Linying Temple
On the way to Flying Peak and Linying Temple
Charlie was talking about the crazy monk - Monk Jigong. He was once a monk at Linying Temple in Hangzhou. He had an eccentric behavior which broke the traditonal code for monastics. But he had a nice heart and was always ready to help others. Different from a traditonal Buddhist monk, he ate meat and drank wine.
It was the rock bed once used by Jigong Monk. To touch the bed is supposed to bring us the good luck
The tree resembles the Chinese word"ÐÄ". Many people would like to take pictures there.
Take care!
Charlie was explaining the cuture and history behind the rock carving
On the way to Linying Temple
One of the four kings in the sky
The Temple
People were burning incense
The highest wooden stature of Sakyamuni in China
Guanyin - one of the four buddhas below Sakyamuni
Grouo photo near the exit to Yinling Temple
Dinner at Lily Hotel
People were enjoying their dinner at Lily Hotel
West Lake Impression Show
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