Beautiful China

Wednesday January 22

We visited some beautiful sights this morning.  First was the Temple of the 6 Banyan Trees.  The temple area actually has multiple buildings, but the most magnificent is a 17 story pagoda.  Since this is in a major metropolitan area, it was impossible to get far enough away to get a good picture of the entire building.  Surrounding the pagoda are many areas to light incense or make offerings.  The largest hall contains 3 Buddhas, representing past, present and future.  In other buildings there are additional Buddhas that you would pray for if you have certain requests, such as wanting a son. 

 

We then went to the Chen Ancestral Hall, which was described to us as a Chinese Folk Art museum.  The building alone was worth the visit.  Originally built as a private school, it is 19 rooms connected by verandas and courtyards.  The roof is covered in intricate carvings—both inside and out.  There are carvings in wood, brick, stone, lime and iron.  It was definitely unlike anything you would find in the US (which is the point when you are in China, right?)