Lingyin Temple

Introduction 

Lingyin Temple is also known as the Temple of Soul's Retreat. It was built in 328 AD by an Indian Monk, Huili. The temple is popular and gets hundreds of tourists and pilgrims and even thousands during peak seasons. In 1961 it was listed as a protection provincial historical and cultural site considered to be a leading center for research relative to Chinese Buddhist culture. The Temple is long and narrow and is located between Peak Flown From Afar and North Peak to the northwest of the West Lake at Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. The Temple contains an important collection of Buddhist literature and has become a great center for information to those who wish to study aspects of Chinese Buddhism. 

The temple came into existence since the Eastern Jin Dynasty between 317 and 420AD. Legend has it that an Indian monk, Huili, choose this location of the temple based on the locations natural scenery. He felt the need to choose this location as a home to Immortals and that is how he gave the temple the name: the Temple of the Soul's Retreat. During the Five Dynasties (907-960 AD) the King of the Wu Yue State expressed a sense of devotion to Buddha and initiated a large scale development of the temple. The main building that can be seen today was restored after the temple was destroyed. 

Things to see and do on a visit

Inscribed Tablets

At the entrance, if the first hall of Lingyin Temple is a tablet inscribed with words penned by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. The emperor was pleased by the sight of the temple shrouded in mist amongst the trees that surround it hence giving it the title 'Cloud Forest Buddhist Temple'. This great hall has double eaves and is at least 60 feet in height.

The Laughing Buddha

At the Hall of the Heavenly King is the statue of Maitreya which appears to be bare, fat and wearing a smiling face. The Buddha is said to be able to endure all intolerance and laugh at every laughable person in the world. The hall has articulately painted ceiling decorated with phoenixes and dragons.

Hall of the Great Hero

Also known as Da Xiong Bao Dian, this hall of the Great Hero has seven rooms wide, five rooms deep and is a single storey construction. Its double eaved roof rises up to 33.6 meters high creating what is believed to be the highest single storey building to be found in China. The hall is also home to a statue of Sakyamuni carved from 24 sections of camphor wood with an overall height of 24.8 meters making it one of the largest wooden statues in China that are covered with a gold leaf. The statue is also surrounded on either if its sides by twenty saints who are protectors of justice. Twelve disciples guards are seated along the rear wall of the wall and they form an imposing and impressionable scene.

Cool Spring Pavilion.

This Cool Spring Pavilion has constructed a thousand years ago during the Tang Dynasty and is the most favored location amongst visitors who wish to linger through it during the heat of summer.

Dine

There is a vegetarian restaurant near the temple known as Lingyin Vegetarian Restaurant serving typical Chinese cuisine that is specifically vegetarian.

West lake

Introduction 

Located in the southwest direction of downtown Hangzhou which is 180 kilometers southwest of Shanghai. The West Lake measures 3.2 kilometers in length by 2.8 kilometers in width by 2.3 kilometers in depth covering an area of 6.5 square kilometers. The West Lake is rated top ten amongst scenic attractions in China and it was UNESCO listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2011. The area of West Lake is divided into five different sections by three course ways and mountains. Three man made islands stand in the West Outer Lake which is the Mid-lake Pavilion, Lesser Paradise Island and the Ruangong Islet. Two pagodas face each other across the lake Leifeng Pagoda to the south and Baochu Pagoda to the north and there are three islands on the lake.

The lake is believed to be a dating site according to legends. Two spirits Bai Suzhen; a white snake spirit and Xu Xian; a mortal man fell in love after meeting on a boat on West Lake and they got married. However an evil monk Fa Hai separated the two by imprisoning Xu Xian but Bai Suzhen tried to rescue her husband to no avail and was later also imprisoned under the Leifeng Pagoda located by the lake. After so many years the two were rescued by Xiao Qing who was the sister to Bai Suzhen and from then the couple lived together happily ever after.

Things to see and do on a visit 

Su Causeway

This long causeway stretches 2.8 kilometers long with willow trees and other plants on either side. There are six bridges along this causeway including the Suppressing Dike Bridge, the Locking Waves Bridge, Crossing Rainbow Bridge, the Eastern Lakeside Bridge, the Viewing Hills Bridge and the Reflecting Ripples Bridge. In spring, the causeway is endowed by green willow buds and pink peach blossoms form a charming scene.

Winery Yard and Lotus Pool

Located in the northwest side of the lake this area used to be occupied by a winery during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) enclosed by lotus flowers. During summer a sweet fragrance summons the area from the lotus flowers and winery taking visitors back in time during the Song Dynasty. The scenic spots available here are the Bamboo Garden, the Lotus Pool, Yuehu Lake, the Winery Yard and the Lakeside Woods. 

Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn

Since ancient times, West Lake has been the best spot to view the beauty of the full moon. On the night of the Mid Autumn Festival, the moon shines full and bright inside each of the three pagodas on the water. The light of the moon casts the most magical reflection on the pagoda windows and on the water.

Broken Bridge in Winter

Constructed in 1921, this Broken Bridge measures 8.8 meters long by 8.4 meters wide. During winter the West Lake area is beautiful and less crowded and the bridge appears to be broken because snow in its middle part melts unlike the snow on its ends which remains lingering and glistened by the sun to create a spectacular scene. 

Orioles House

Located at Qingbo Gate at the outer most part of West Lake this garden is the biggest imperial garden in the West Lake that was named Landscape Gathering Garden during the Southern Song Dynasty. At the center of the garden is the Orioles House with a gigantic birdcage with willows of different species flying especially the time around the month of March. This whole view attracts tourists both from home and abroad.

Flower Pond

Located at the southern end of Su Causeway, the Red Carp Pond forms a charming park with a variety of trees and flowers covering 20 hectares including a peony garden which blooms in April and the famous goldfish pond. There are five scenic spots: the red carp pond, the great lawn, the flower harbor, the peony garden and the groves. The park connects the West Inner Lake with the South Lake and the red carp pond swarms with red carp and visitors can stand on the rails of a zigzag bridge to feed the goldfish. Towards the west of the red carp is a peony garden which forms a frenetic scene when in full bloom. For years, poets have expressed their admiration if the area through poems, artists have drawn and produced paintings and calligraphy sets.

Leifeng Pagoda

Located at the Evening Glow Mountain to the south of the West Outer Lake, Leifeng Pagoda stands at 70 meters high and was constructed by the king of the Wuyue Kingdom to appreciate the pregnancy of his concubine during the Five Dynasties and Ten States Period between 907 and 960. It has however been damaged and renovated several times but remains standing to date for visitors to have a panoramic view of the lake. At dusk, the evening glow reflects the spectacular pagoda to the rippling lake.

Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds

The Twin Peaks are the South Peak and the North Peaks. The South Peak measures 256.9 meters high and the North Peak is at 355 meters high. The two faced each other in a separation distance of 5 kilometers creating an exceptionally beautiful scene especially when it is cloudy or after a heavy downpour when only the two tops peaks can be seen through thick fog hence the name 'Two Peaks Piercing the Clouds'. Back in the days pagodas and Buddhist temples were constructed on the top of the two peaks creating a hot spot for tourists.

Nanping Hill

Located on the south of the West Lake, Nanping Hill is at least 100 meters high and 1000 meters long and on its foot is Jingci Temple built by the king of the Wuyue Kingdom in 954 during the Five Dynasties and the Ten States Period. The Xingjiao Temple is also located at the foot of the hill and has been in existence since its inception in the fifth year (972) of the Kaibao Period during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Bells ring at dawn and drums are beaten at dust in these temples and they vibrate and resonate in melodious waves because of their location in the midst of rocks and caves of the Nanping Hill.

Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

Situated to the south of the Lesser Paradise Island, the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon are actually three stone towers surrounded by water. The towers were constructed during the Tianqi Period between 1621 and 1627 in the Ming Dynasty and stand at the height of 2.5 meters with 2 meters above the water levels separated from each other in the shape of a regular triangle at a distance of  62 meters. The towers are made of stone pedestals, empty spheres, round cover, hexagonal pavilion and a pear-shaped top. In addition, there are six holes evenly distributed around the sphere. At night when there is a full moon and candles are lit inside the sphere, the holes together with the full moon in the sky get reflected in the water creating an illusion like there are many moons which are a very unique scene attracting many visitors. This image is printed on the one yuan banknote.

Boat Riding

One of the best ways to explore the West Lake is on a cruise to the islands of the lake. There is a wide variety of boats that visitors can choose from in the lake such as the self rowing boats, large painted boats and small rowing boats. Cruises are available either during the day or at night.

Biking

At the West Lake visitors can follow the best biking routes to appreciate and admire the lake’s beauty at their own pace. The most popular biking routes are the Su Causeway and Bai Causeway where most of the lake’s scenery can be found and no vehicles are allowed to the sites.

Drinking Tea

Visitors can spend their resting time at the lakeside sipping Tea leisurely. This down time gives visitors the chance to taste local snacks with the tea as they admire more of the beauty of the lake and listen to the history of the area. This can also be a chance to interact with locals. 

Music Fountain of West Lake

Located at the Third Park Dock on the West Lake, this music fountain area measures 126 meters long and comes to life twice a day and four times in the evening. Visitors can enjoy the fountain show for 15 minutes. 

Night show

This night show is a live outdoor evening performance at Yuehu Lake Scenic Area incorporating music, lights and dances. Its main point is to express ancient folklore between Xu Xi'an and Bai Suzhen and a sad love story between Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. It tells a beautiful love story in five acts: First Encounter, Falling in Love, Saying Goodbye, Memories and Impressions. The show is normally from March to December and visitors can enjoy this marvelous event.