Posts Tagged ‘Buddhist’

The Spectacular TaiHang Mountains

Tuesday, May 19th, 2015

Last weekend, I visited the village of Chinese friends in WuXiang (武乡) County, Shanxi Province, about three hours drive south of provincial capital Taiyuan. It’s an area well away from the international tourist sites and where few other foreigners have been, with many fascinating and very friendly ancient villages. On Saturday we explored a spectacular section of the TaiHang Mountains east of the village. The TaiHang Mountains are a 400 km long range that runs north-south along the eastern boundary of Shanxi Province. As well as stunning natural scenery, a great surprise was to hear Buddhist chanting wafting through the valleys. Rounding a spur, we came across a remote Buddhist temple inside a cave with sacred spring and monks cabins along the cliff line. On Sunday we went to the nearby TaiHang Dragon cave, a local attraction, which was also impressive.
TaiHang Mountains

TaiHang Mountains

TaiHang Mountains

TaiHang Mountains

Buddhist Cave Temple, TaiHang Mountains

Buddhist Cave Temple, TaiHang Mountains

Buddhist Cave Temple and Monk's Cabins

Buddhist Cave Temple and Monk’s Cabins

Buddhist Cave Temple

Interior, Buddhist Cave Temple

Sacred Spring, Buddhist Cave Temple

Sacred Spring, Buddhist Cave Temple

Sacred Spring, Buddhist Cave Temple

Sacred Spring, Buddhist Cave Temple

Entrance, TaiHang Dragon Cave

Entrance, TaiHang Dragon Cave

TaiHang Dragon Cave

TaiHang Dragon Cave

TaiHang Dragon Cave

TaiHang Dragon Cave

Chinese Pilgrimage – a fascinating journey

Sunday, January 6th, 2013

In 1983 a list of the “142 key Buddhist Temples in the Han Area of China” was produced, and since 2009 James Baquet has been visiting them during his holidays. His fascinating website Chinese Pilgrimage features images and brief descriptions from his “epic” three-year journey to these sometimes exquisite, always interesting temples.

You can also read the stories of James’ visits to many of these temples and other sites in the travel section of the Shenzhen Daily newspaper.

James Baquet is an American living in Shenzhen and many of his great insights into Shenzhen and its history and Chinese temples have previously been featured in Discover China News.

Shanghai Temples

Saturday, April 7th, 2012

The next destination in James Baquet’s excellent series of Shenzhen Daily articles on Chinese temples and halls is Shanghai:

For previous articles in James Baquet’s series on Chinese temples and halls see Temples of Putuo Mountain and Ningbo, Hangzhou’s Jingci Temple and Exploring Shenzhen’s Temples.

White Horse Temple expands into cultural park

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

In 2008 I had the pleasure of visiting the White Horse Temple in Luoyang in central China’s Henan Province (see story and pictures). With over 1900 years of history, White Horse Temple is described as the cradle of Buddhism in China.

Over the next eight years, the temple will be expanded into an 87 hectare cultural park, the largest in China, with an International Temples Zone showcasing 10 exotic shrines from foreign countries. One can already be visited – an Indian shrine opened in May 2010. Two more will open shortly – a Thai shrine built in the 1990s is being expanded and will open in April, and a Myanmar Buddhist garden will be created in April.

Find out more in the China Daily article ‘Cradle of Chinese Buddhism’ embraces world.

Exploring Shenzhen’s Temples

Friday, November 11th, 2011

Many visitors to Shenzhen are familiar with Hongfa Temple in Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, the largest Buddhist temple in the city. James Baquet introduces some more in these Shenzhen Daily articles:

You can also see the previous news stories Two Shenzhen templesTianhou temples in ShenzhenTwo temples in Xili, Two temples in Dapeng and The difference between temples and halls?