No. 38: Hanshan Temple, Suzhou, Jiangsu

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on October 8, 2012.)

Hanshan (寒山) and Shide (拾得) were great friends, and their joyous friendship is
commemorated on an altar at busy Hanshan Temple (寒山寺) in Suzhou, Jiangsu  (江苏, 苏州市)

July 29, 2010 - Because it was late in the day (after 2:30) when I left Lingyanshan Temple, I flagged a taxi and went directly to Hanshan Temple. The crowds were greater than any I've seen in any temple. True, it was a beautiful summer day; but it was a weekday!

No. 37: Lingyanshan Temple, Suzhou, Jiangsu

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on September 24, 2012.)

The delicate pagoda (塔) peeks past the Main Hall (大雄宝殿) in this view
of Lingyanshan Temple (灵岩山寺) in western Suzhou, Jiangsu (江苏, 苏州市)

July 29, 2010 - Both of the temples I visited next were in the town of Suzhou, and each challenging in its own way.

First I headed across town to Lingyanshan, an awfully long bus ride, where I discovered that I'd need to climb a mountain. The effort paid off, though, as there were sights along the way, a cheap bowl of noodles to be had, and kind-hearted monks.

No. 35: Xiyuan Temple, Suzhou, Jiangsu

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on September 10, 2012.)

Pond (池) said to be the home of two 400-year-old turtles (龟) in the West Garden
(西园) of Xiyuan Jiechuang Temple (西园戒幢寺) in Suzhou, Jiangsu (江苏, 苏州市)

July 28, 2010 - The aptly-named Xiyuan (Western Compound, or perhaps "Garden") is located on the western side of Suzhou (get it?), and has a garden on its western side to boot. In addition to this simple nickname, it is also known as Jiechuang Si, confusingly translated as "Buddhist Vinaya Discipline Banner Temple" but perhaps better "The Temple of Monastic Discipline."

Trip 5: Eastern Anhui and Jiangsu (July 20-30, 2010)

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