EXTRA: Beishan Grottoes, Dazu, Chongqing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 24, 2014.)

An elegant Buddha Triad (三尊佛) at Beishan Grottoes (北山石窟) near "downtown" Dazu, Chongqing (重庆, 大足).

June 18, 2012 - After the somewhat cartoonish figures at Baodingshan, I found the elegance of the next set of grottoes refreshing.

EXTRA: Shengshou Temple, Baodingshan Grottoes, Dazu, Chongqing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 17, 2014.)

The Mountain Gate (山门) of Shengshou Temple (圣寿寺) at the world-class
Baodingshan Grottoes (宝顶山石窟) in Dazu, Chongqing (重庆, 大足)

June 17, 2012 - Like many of its sisters, Shengshou ("Longevity") Temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, most recently in the Qing Dynasty. Unlike most, however, it is the ritual center of a magnificent complex of stone grottoes.

EXTRA: Baodingshan Grottoes, Dazu, Chongqing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 10, 2014.)

The famous Wheel of Rebirth (六道轮回) at Baodingshan Grottoes
(宝顶山石窟), one of many in and around Dazu, Chongqing (重庆, 大足).

June 17, 2012 - Having seen the three Chongqing temples on my list, I decided to take a side trip to see some of the UNESCO-listed rock carvings at Dazu.

No. 90: Shuangguitang Temple, Liangping County, Chongqing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 3, 2014.)

The main gate of Shuangguitang Temple (双桂堂) in rural Liangping County,
Chongqing (重庆, 梁平县), a refreshing break from the congested city.

June 15, 2012 - The first two temples I saw in Chongqing were near the city's center; the third was not. It lay in far-flung Liangping County, over 180 kilometers out of town. It was a long day--about two-and-a-half hours each way on the highway bus to the county town, then some local transport to and from the temple.

No. 89: Ciyun Temple, Chongqing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on February 24, 2014.)

The facade of Ciyun Temple (慈云寺) in Chongqing (重庆) looks more like a fortress than
a religious establishment; note the buildings marching up one of Chongqing's trademark hills.

June 14, 2012 - Upon leaving Luohan Temple, I had expected to travel back along the peninsula, cross the Yangtze by bridge, and return up the east side of the river to Ciyun Temple, my next goal. Imagine my surprise when I learned that there was a ropeway across the river, starting near my first temple and ending near my second!

No. 88: Luohan Temple, Chongqing

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on February 17, 2014.)

Two of the 500 arhats (五百罗汉) after which Luohan (Arhat) Temple
(罗汉寺) in Chongqing (重庆) was named. They are all exquisite.

June 14, 2012 - In June of 2012 I found myself in the central Chinese city of Chongqing, formerly known as Chungking. This hilly metropolis is located on a peninsula where the Jialing River coming down from Gansu meets the Yangtze on its way from the glaciers of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau all the way across China to Shanghai on the East China Sea.

Trip 15: Chongqing(June 13-18, 2012)

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