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Temple of the Jade Buddha
Entry 15 of 32 | show all | print this entry |
Amongst the glitz of Shanghai, one of its oldest buildings is the most memorable. We arrived during a celebration, with the monks processing and chanting,in the courtyards in front of the main temple, followed by the burning of 2 large models of ships, made out of slender pieces of wood and paper. The fire arose quite a way, in between the wooden temples! There were masses of Chinese, and we had to cram in to see.Thinking that we hadn't quite seen anything special enough for a monk, many centuries ago, to have brought all the way back from India, and then set about raising enough money to house it, I looked around and saw a sign, and paid the entrance fee. Clambering up the stairs behind the temple, walking along corridors, I came into a room beautifully decorated in painted wood,and was all alone.Towards the back, I saw the Jade Buddha, looking totally serene. It was so peaceful with such fine features, that it was hard to realise that it wasn't a person. I stayed a good 5 minutes before moving off at the sound of other people.
Shanghai was a good halfway point : time to chill out and be absorbed by one aspect of China : successful, vibrant, noisy, always on the go. Making a statement with the many high rises, of dramatic shapes, boasting the names the the big international banks and companies, and the eternal throngs in the streets.
The Australian couple, the Irish couple, and Jon from Melborne, had to leave as they had only signed up for the first half.In came an Australian girl and an American guy, so we are 10 with the guide: 7 guys and 3 girls
For Martin's birthday, a Chinese birthday cake was bought. Have you tried eating soft sponge and cream with chop sticks ?
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