No. 59: Guanyin Gucha, Jilin, Jilin

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on June 3, 2013.)

The figures on the ridges of most Chinese temples vary more than
these at Guanyin Gucha (观音古刹) in Jilin City, Jilin (吉林, 吉林市).

August 26, 2011 - From Changchun, I took a fast train on a branch off of the main north/south line to Jilin City. I wouldn't be staying there; after a quick visit, I'd be back on another train.

The ancient Guanyin Gucha is quite small, and seems to be seldom visited. That day, volunteers were cleaning out the sutra repository (scripture library), and using large kettles to burn unwanted papers, such as old posters and pamphlets. I wish I could have taken some away!

No. 57 & 58: Dizang and Banruo Temples, Changchun, Jilin

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on May 27, 2013.)

The small Dizang Temple (地藏寺) in Changchun, Jilin (吉林, 长春市), was under
construction when I visited (and there wouldn't have been much to see even if
it were complete!) Anyway, this bell hanging in the driveway was attractive.

August 25, 2011 - After my brief visit to Haerbin, a southbound train took me to Changchun. The capital city of Jilin province is home to two temples on my list, one very small and one fairly large.

Little Dizang Temple, named for Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva, is so small that the staff of the hotel where I stayed just a few blocks away didn't even know of its existence.

Trip 10: Dongbei, Hebei, and Qingdao (August 24-31, 2011)

This is a record of my tenth trip to visit the 142 Key Temples of China. Links lead to articles on the temple (or other site) named.