No. 99: Ganlu Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on June 9, 2014.)

This courtyard is between the aptly-named "Old Wood Building" and the main hall
(大雄宝殿, shown) at Ganlu Temple (甘露寺) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

June 24, 2012 - Leaving the Jiuhua Shan Scenic Area, I took a bus halfway down the mountain to visit Ganlu ("Sweet Dew") Temple. This required checking out at the main gate, to ensure that I didn't need to buy another expensive ticket to get back to my hotel!

No. 55: Dabei Temple, Tianjin

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on April 23, 2013.)

Gate to the so-called "West Temple," (西院) a separate
compound inside Dabei Temple (大悲院) in Tianjin (天津)

July 13, 2011 - I wanted to see a temple in Tianjin, so the businessman who paid for my trip to Beijing gave me a car to take me there. The two-hour drive was relaxing, but because we zipped in and out, I didn't get to see much of that great city by Bohai Gulf on the Yellow Sea.

No. 53: Fayuan Temple, Beijing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on April 8, 2013.)

This bowl of lotus flowers (莲花) stands in a courtyard at Fayuan Temple (法源寺), Beijing (北京)

July 11, 2011 - Fayuan ("Source of the Dharma") Temple in Beijing is located behind a small park, not far from the largest and oldest mosque in Beijing. Fayuan is currently Beijing's oldest temple. It was first built in 645 in honor of deceased officers and soldiers who had been loyal to the emperor. Niujie Mosque is a relative latecomer, dating only to 996!

No. 34: Guangjiao Temple, Nantong, Jiangsu

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on September 3, 2012.)

A small courtyard (院) on the hill near Guangjiao Temple (广教寺) in Nantong, Jiangsu (江苏, 南通市)

July 27, 2010 - I have developed a practice of doing the most difficult or far-flung temples first when I reach a city. So the morning of my first day in Suzhou, I boarded a bus to Nantong and its beautiful Langshan, where I took a cable car up to Guangjiao Temple.