(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on July 1, 2013.)
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| The Mountain Gate (山门) at Shuxiang Temple (殊像寺), Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市). The temple is closed to the public, but it's part of a pleasant stroll among the outer temples (外八庙) of Chengde. |
Taking a cab to the westernmost point of my route, I learned that the supposed location of the ruins of the Luohan Hall displayed nothing but a few suspiciously modern-looking stone retaining walls. But I did have a nice view of the "mountain villa" across the road, located on the back side of the Qing emperors' summer resort.
Walking east, I passed a series of beautiful, evocative sights.
First was Shuxiang Temple. Closed to the public so the monks can practice more diligently, it has ancient trees guarding the approach, with antique stone lions in cages on either side.
Through fields of corn and sunflowers, past a man with caged birds, I reached the entry to Putuozongcheng, the largest temple in Chengde, built for Emperor Qianlong's 60th birthday and resembling the Potala Palace in Tibet. Without time, energy, or cash enough to enter, I settled for the spectacular view from the road.
Next was the smaller--but still large--Xumifushou Temple, built to accommodate the Sixth Panchen Lama in 1781. Looking like a temple in Shigatse, Tibet, it is named for mythical Mount Sumeru, representing the World Axis in Buddhism. A gorgeous old stone bridge stands out front, built with five arches in 1780.
Finally, by bus I circled the walls the Imperial Summer Villa, over which I saw the pagoda which is all that remains of Yongyou Temple.
Back to my temple/hotel, I grabbed my bags, and left for the bus station for my trip to Shijiazhuang.
GPS Info (click the links to view the maps):
- Shuxiang Temple: 41.01318, 117.92523
- Putuozongcheng Temple: 41.01023, 117.93425
- Xumifushou Temple: 41.00895, 117.94212
- Yongyou Temple: 40.99884, 117.94639
Map: (Click to see all the temples mentioned in the article!)
View A Walk in Chengde in a larger map
GALLERY
More pictures can be found here.
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| Caged stone lions stand in front of the closed Shuxiang Temple, Chengde |
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| Putuozongcheng Temple in Chengde is modeled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tobet |
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| An ancient stone bridge stands in front of Xumifushou Temple, Chengde |
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| This pagoda is all that remains of Yongyou Temple inside the Imperial Summer Villa, Chengde |
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| The "Palace" (宫) at Putuozongcheng Temple (普陀宗乘之庙), Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市), emulates the Potala Palace (布达拉宫) in Lhasa, Tibet (西藏, 拉萨). |
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| The ancient five-arched bridge at Xumifushou Temple (须弥福寿之庙), Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市), was built in 1780 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (乾隆). |
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| This pagoda (塔) is all that remains of Yongyou Temple (永佑寺), Chengde, Hebei (河北, 承德市). It once stood on the grounds of the Qing emperors' summer retreat (避暑). |
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