China: Shanghai Jing’An Temple: March 2016

The last day of our China trip dawned. We had been in the country for 13 days. I wasn’t ready to leave, I don’t think anyone was. With that we decided to make the use of the few hours before our bus to the airport.

I don’t remember who suggested the Jing’An Temple but my Nana and I along with several others in our group decided to go. The concierge called us a cab and wrote down the name of the place we wanted to go in the native language on a little slip of paper. Giving us an extra one with the address of the hotel for the ride back.

The cab ride was fun, believe it or not I haven’t ridden in many cabs. The ride was definitely a different view of the city from the big tourist bus we were normally on. The cabbie let us out in front of the temple and we bought tickets. This temple sits among all these tall modern building. Beautiful, gleaming, warm gold among the cold steel and concrete. Walls made of dark, reddish wood and white stone. I loved it.

This is the first temple that I’ve been too and if anyone knows more about them I’d love to learn. The Jing’An Temple was built in 247AD and is still a monastery with monks. I wonder if the worshipers have to pay to enter like us tourists do? I have no idea. When you enter the temple you walk into this courtyard and in the center is what looks like a giant incense burner. There is a cart selling incense off to the side. The air is full of the smell of burning incense, I can’t remember exactly the sent but earthy with a hint of spice but not one strong enough to burn the nostrils. The smoke from them hung in the cold March air. 

The people that I assume were worshipers tossed coins on the giant pot in the middle of the court yard (above). I don’t know why. Also, I’ve noticed that I have a lot of unanswered questions from this place. Since we weren’t with a tour group I went off on my own to explore and take pictures at my leisure. My favorite view of the place was from the top of the stairs looking across the courtyard before the doors of the room that housed the large Buddha.

The details were incredible and I took pictures of every thing.

I don’t know any of the deities in the Buddhist pantheon but here are some of who was represented.

I didn’t want this trip to end. It was so eye opening to the beauties and wonders of the world. If you have visited China I’d love to know what you think.

I’m not sure where I’m going to post about next week. I hope you enjoy the mysteries as much as I do. Have a great rest of your day.