7/6/07

六手

On the top of 碧云宫

拍照片

Abandoned monastery

Pavilion on the foothills of 香山

The hall of arhats

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Yesterday the girls and I went to 香山 (xiangshan, or "Fragrant mountain") and walked all over for most of the day. It was my first time there; surprisingly beautiful with loads of old Chinesey things and clean air and rolling hills. The highlight was 碧云宫 (biyungong, or "azure cloud temple") which is an early 18th century temple highlighting Buddha and the arhats, which are all in one building, life sized, cast from bronze and painted gold. The sculptures had incredibly refined and elegant faces, super expressive with some being a bit grotesque. They are a bit older than the temple itself, and most have been spared the terrible Chinese habit of slapping on generic semi-gloss house paint on old things. The temple complex is large with many buildings devoted to many gods, including a rather recent,(90 years old) rather circus-y portion that was strange and almost frightening with screaming gods and circular painted clouds. Really amazing painting, bright and garish. A highlight, for sure.


3 comments:

Arielísimo said...

horay! i don't have to be annonymous anymore, and i arrive in china august 9th!!!! see you then :)

about us said...

oh wow, ross and silvia have cool visitors! that's awesome susie's over there...very awesome.

arroz, you look very handsome, the beard-goatie thing you've got going on is becoming; manly, very manly.

just got back from my motherland and, as usual, it was a spectacular time with mostly family, acommpanied with loads of booze.

kisses to everyone over there, i hope and KNOW you're having a wonderous time, and wish you all lots of giggles and everything else that's great!

i--

Anonymous said...

Hi Ross, Great pics and I am glad you have had visitors. I have been busy and just plain crazy! I have been working and trying to complete my "project". Along with car repairs and total crap...everything is good though just can't believe 1/2 a year is gone by TOOOO FAST!!! Still having email/computer problems but I will send you an email soon!
good to see you!
Loveyerma