Jian Shan Temple

Posted by : foongpc | Saturday, September 12, 2009 | Published in

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The first place we visited in Yangshuo was Jian Shan Temple.

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It is reputed to be the oldest and largest temple in Guangxi Province. Originally built in the year 713, it was destroyed during the war in 1961. The local government then had it rebuilt in 1995 in the typical architectural style of Tang Dynasty.

I did not follow the tour guide around as she explained in detail about the history of the place. Besides, she was speaking in Mandarin which I hardly understand. So I just walked around the temple taking pictures.

Look at these interesting structures! Do you know what they are for?

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I also saw some pretty interesting sculptures on the roof.

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Now are these horses or dragons?

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From where I stood, I could see some statues at the top of the stairs.

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I climbed the stairs and found more statues there.

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The views around the temple were nice. I found the temple to be clean and peaceful. I saw tall figures of Buddha inside the main hall of the temple but I was not sure if it's a good idea to take photos. So I decided not to take any photos of the interior but just focused on the scenery outside the temple building.

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It was said that the famous great monk in China called Jianzhen who helped propagate Buddhism in Japan, had been to this temple before.

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I like the green hill in the background of this photo below.

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I was glad to be able to visit this temple but we were given only a short time here as we had four other places to go after this.

The tour guide did not seem too pleased with some tourists for returning to the tour bus late. All the more reason for us not to pay the tour company! What kind of attitude was that? But if you want to know if we ended up paying them or not, you would just have to be a bit more patient as I cannot reveal just yet!

Next, we headed to Big Banyan Tree which I shall blog about in my next post coming right up.

FIRST COMMENTER

(63) Comments

  1. fufu said...

    it's actually got 9 interesting sculptures on the roof, if you go to beijing, you can see the complete 9 sculptures on the roof of the buildings in the forbidden city :)

    wow... i bet the tour company wouldnt let you guys not to pay them

    September 12, 2009 at 9:51 AM
  2. Ayie said...

    wow early stalk from fufu! good morning guys!

    September 12, 2009 at 10:52 AM
  3. Ayie said...

    This reminds me of my history of architecture days! ahahaha something i don't want to come back to!

    September 12, 2009 at 10:54 AM
  4. Ayie said...

    at least you had your fun time snapping shots since you hardly understand your tout guide.

    happy weekend!!!

    friday night here now! yipee!!

    September 12, 2009 at 10:55 AM
  5. HappySurfer said...

    OMGoodness! This is such an amazing place but what a pity you were not allowed more time. It is times like these that you wish you had not followed a tour, eh?

    Those holders in pictures 2 and 3 are joss-stick- or candle-holders, I believe. Are they not being used, Foong?

    September 12, 2009 at 11:45 AM
  6. HappySurfer said...

    Animal statues in temples normally look unusual. That's because they are celestial animals, like the Chi lin. But you already know that being a fengshui practitioner yourself, eh?

    Those statues of boddhisatvas are very interesting. How tall are they?

    No harm in taking photos of Buddha and sharing them. Actually, one would be doing a good deed because you'll be exposing more people to the sight of Buddha. Believe me, not everyone has actually seen how Buddha look like. True, Foong.

    September 12, 2009 at 11:59 AM
  7. HappySurfer said...

    You wrote: It was said that the famous great monk in China called Jianzhen who helped propagate Buddhism in Japan, had been to this temple before.

    Amazing! A piece of history here..

    The last picture is truly a sight to behold. Is the place quiet?

    Thank you for taking us on this tour, Foong. Wonderful pictures. Can't wait for more.

    September 12, 2009 at 12:04 PM
  8. lina said...

    At 9.51am, I was still soundly asleep. Did an all nighter last night. :D

    September 12, 2009 at 12:45 PM
  9. lina said...

    The last time I followed a tour in China, the tour guide spoke only in Mandarin too (despite the assurance from the travel agent in Malaysia that tours will be in English) :(

    I had to rely on fellow tour members for info.

    September 12, 2009 at 12:48 PM
  10. lina said...

    Anyway, great photos. :)

    In that peaceful surrounding, did you contemplate on life, foong? :) Pity you can't be there longer.

    September 12, 2009 at 12:53 PM
  11. Anonymous

    Obviously the tour guide won't be happy to see tourists getting back to the bus late. They may have to keep track of time to ensure they are on schedule. Otherwise, missed out on places you guys supposed to cover and then you guys might get angry with them and not want to pay them? Hehhe...;)

    September 12, 2009 at 3:52 PM
  12. Unseen India Tours said...

    Beautiful and lovely shot !! Great shots !!Unseen Rajasthan

    September 12, 2009 at 5:43 PM
  13. manglish said...

    nice statues on the roofs...reminded me those in Angels and Demons :P

    September 12, 2009 at 6:55 PM
  14. Johnny Ong said...

    yeah, horse or dragon ah?????

    September 12, 2009 at 7:15 PM
  15. annant said...

    this temple reminds me of da puu jih shih in sandakan...arghhh...i miss sabah :(

    September 12, 2009 at 8:07 PM
  16. Haha

    WoW !...super photos... a lot of memories... Foong...

    September 12, 2009 at 11:23 PM
  17. foongpc said...

    fufu, congrats for being First Commenter here for the first time! Hope you don't mind I use that photo of you posing in front of the Merlion! : )

    9 sculptures? You mean they have these similar sculptures in Beijing? Interesting!

    Of course the tour company wouldn't let us off without paying but did we escape? That's the question yes? Haha!

    September 13, 2009 at 12:37 AM
  18. foongpc said...

    ayie, sorry to say but it's good night from here right now.

    You don't want to be reminded of your architecture days? Why?

    Enjoy your weekend! : )

    September 13, 2009 at 12:39 AM
  19. foongpc said...

    happysurfer, yes you are right - they are for the joss sticks and candles. But they were not being used at that moment, I guess.

    Oh yes, I know the chi lin of course. Me and my feng shui! haha! Yes, I think you are right, those animals on the roof are celestial animals - don't really exist do they?

    The Buddha statues were very tall - not sure how tall, maybe 5-7 metres?

    Oh, so no harm in taking photos of the Buddha statues and deities? I think I took some photos of them in another temple I visited in Guilin. That's because I saw people busily snapping away! LOL!

    The temple is rather quiet if you don't take into consideration of all those tourists there! Most of the tourists went into the temple building so outside it was rather peaceful and quiet - just what I liked!

    Glad to be able to share these photos and more to come! : )

    September 13, 2009 at 12:47 AM
  20. foongpc said...

    lina, what did you do all night?

    Most of the tour guides in China speak mandarin only. Rare to find English tour guide there!

    Did I contemplate on life in that peaceful surrounding? No, I was busy snapping away and thinking how not to pay the tour company! Haha! *just kidding* : )

    September 13, 2009 at 12:50 AM
  21. foongpc said...

    mei teng, I can understand the tour guide's concern of keeping to the schedule and be on time. But she did not have to show her unhappy face, right?

    In any case, if at all possible, try to avoid tours. Traveling on our own is much more fun! : )

    September 13, 2009 at 12:55 AM
  22. foongpc said...

    unseen rajasthan, thanks! : )

    September 13, 2009 at 12:55 AM
  23. foongpc said...

    manglish, angels and demons? Haha!

    September 13, 2009 at 12:56 AM
  24. foongpc said...

    johnny ong, both? : )

    September 13, 2009 at 12:57 AM
  25. foongpc said...

    annant, really? Maybe you should fly to Sabah again! : )

    September 13, 2009 at 12:57 AM
  26. foongpc said...

    haha, thanks, yes indeed a lot of nice memories for me : )

    September 13, 2009 at 12:58 AM
  27. lina said...

    @foong,
    a few rounds of bedminton, that's what! Wahahaa!!!!

    September 13, 2009 at 2:00 AM
  28. Bengbeng said...

    awesome pics here. saw you were hurt on Jam's blog. poor foongpc

    September 13, 2009 at 9:03 AM
  29. khengsiong said...

    So the tour guide was not happy that some tourists were late? That's why sometimes it is better to travel on your own. You can have more time at the interesting places, rather than being dropped off at souvenir stores. As a shutterbug, I certainly need more time to take photos.

    BTW, can you take a survey at my site? You will complete it in a few minutes.

    September 13, 2009 at 4:23 PM
  30. Tekkaus said...

    So this temple was rebuilt in 1995! Now wonder it looks so new and glossy. :) From the first picture the temple looks really ordinary. :p

    September 13, 2009 at 4:57 PM
  31. Tekkaus said...

    So you walked around by yourself lar? Naughty boy! :p But what to do? You don't understand Mandarin. Then again...maybe her Mandarin is different! I think the structures were used to burn offerings? LOL :D

    September 13, 2009 at 4:59 PM
  32. Tekkaus said...

    The sculptures are interesting and funny too....LOL:D A little comical I would say.I thing I even saw Chicken? Haha :D Then the poor dragon with a short body? Hahahahaa :D

    September 13, 2009 at 5:01 PM
  33. Tekkaus said...

    But once you climbed up the stairs...everything is so gorgeous. The statues are really a sight to behold. And I notice they have been placed nicely around the greens huh? Now that makes them more natural.

    September 13, 2009 at 5:03 PM
  34. Tekkaus said...

    You are really respectful huh Foong! You didn't snap the photo of the Buddha in the main shrine. :P

    Wow! There are so many beautiful scenes captured by you. :)

    September 13, 2009 at 5:04 PM
  35. Tekkaus said...

    Hahaha :D You guys annoyed the tour guide? Aiyo...must follow the law mah! :p

    September 13, 2009 at 5:05 PM
  36. Ken Wooi said...

    im imagining what will happen if the sculptures and statues come alive during the night.. haha.. =D

    kenwooi.com

    September 14, 2009 at 1:08 AM
  37. foongpc said...

    lina, wah! last minute desperate attempt to slim down and get fit? LOL!

    September 14, 2009 at 1:23 AM
  38. xin said...

    the horse + dragon sculptures, i think they are qi lin right? u being the fengshui master should know better right? :P

    September 14, 2009 at 1:24 AM
  39. foongpc said...

    bengbeng, thanks. Yeah, injured my toe and leg! But I survived : )

    September 14, 2009 at 1:24 AM
  40. foongpc said...

    khengsiong, yeah it's always better to travel on our own, but this tour is good as it saves money and is more convenient for us.

    Have taken the survey : )

    September 14, 2009 at 1:25 AM
  41. foongpc said...

    tekkaus, yes you are right about the structures.

    You saw a chicken sculpture? Which one? Haha!

    No we didn't annoy the tour guide! We came back on time and was not late. See? We were so nice. So you think we should pay the tour company or not? : )

    September 14, 2009 at 1:28 AM
  42. foongpc said...

    kenwooi, you have too active imagination! If they really came alive at night, I would have fainted! : )

    September 14, 2009 at 1:29 AM
  43. mArNeLLe said...

    hi

    im so very impressed with your blog, i learn a lot from it. Nice posting and content.

    Keep up the good work!.

    pls. add me to your link. Thanks

    http://techiesandnewbies.blogspot.com

    September 14, 2009 at 8:00 AM
  44. Faisal Admar said...

    they look good foong. your picture snapping is getting better and better each day :D

    September 14, 2009 at 10:13 AM
  45. Borneo Falcon said...

    This place is so beautiful and peaceful and I don't mind been a monk here

    September 14, 2009 at 1:56 PM
  46. Monica said...

    where is yr pics Foong?! hehe :-P

    September 15, 2009 at 8:07 AM
  47. ladyviral said...

    wow the pagodas are so nice! I love the scenery too! Statues, carvings... lovely, foong! thank you! Well, least this wasn't a bad visit.

    September 15, 2009 at 12:43 PM
  48. ladyviral said...

    ooops not pagodas! hahaha... the pots :P. aiyar! Why did I typed pagoda... tsk tsk

    September 15, 2009 at 12:45 PM
  49. foongpc said...

    mArNeLLe, have included you in my blog roll : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:42 PM
  50. foongpc said...

    faisal, really? That's good to hear! Maybe because I did nothing but snap photos during my trip? : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:44 PM
  51. foongpc said...

    borneo falcon, you don't mind being a monk here? *gasp*!
    Serious or not?!

    September 15, 2009 at 8:44 PM
  52. foongpc said...

    monica, what? You can't see the pics?

    September 15, 2009 at 8:45 PM
  53. foongpc said...

    ladyviral, I was wondering what pagodas you were talking about! Sure no pagodas in the temple! Haha!

    Yes, it was quite nice visiting this temple! : )

    September 15, 2009 at 8:47 PM
  54. bluedreamer27 said...

    houses in china are very unique indeed... thanks for sharing the info about jianzhen

    September 17, 2009 at 2:04 PM
  55. eastcoastlife said...

    The temple is so majestic! It looks so peaceful.... ideal for meditation.

    September 17, 2009 at 2:44 PM
  56. eastcoastlife said...

    But see the flights of stairs I faint. :(

    September 17, 2009 at 2:45 PM
  57. eastcoastlife said...

    You have to pay them no matter what, you are in their 'territory'. :P

    September 17, 2009 at 2:57 PM
  58. foongpc said...

    bluedreamer27, yes they are unique. You are welcome! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:30 AM
  59. foongpc said...

    eastcoastlife, yes it's very peaceful there and even more so if there's no tourists! The flight of stairs are not that high actually, no problem for you!

    Pay them? Well, you will know soon whether we paid them or not! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:33 AM
  60. Ayie said...

    because i hate to remember the review days...i had this 3-4inch book in history that i had to read...uugggh

    not the architecture days i hate bu the board exam days =P

    September 18, 2009 at 7:39 AM
  61. jam said...

    Nice photos! I did not went in the temple. So your photos kind of compensate for what I did not get to see!

    September 18, 2009 at 6:50 PM
  62. foongpc said...

    ayie, Oic! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 11:01 PM
  63. foongpc said...

    jam, yes I remember you did not go in : )

    September 18, 2009 at 11:01 PM