Leshan, China

During my trip to Chengdu, China, we took a day trip to the Chinese equivalent of a national park (children, retired, and national moral heroes can enter at a reduced cost!) near the city of Leshan, also in the Sichuan Province. This park is mainly known for the massive Buddha that is carved into the cliff along the river, but the park also has much more to offer in terms of temples, shrines, gardens, and walking/low-scale hiking. The picture above is along the path leading up to the Giant Buddha.

This picture actually includes the Buddha's knee and hand resting upon it. The total height of the Buddha is approximately 23 stories.

The Buddha dates from 713 AD and was carved with a drainage system included to prevent erosion. Air pollution has taken its toll, but the overall feat is still incredibly impressive.

The stairs pass down one side of the Buddha and allow visitors to pass in front before departing along another riverside path.
The cliffs are also dotted with many other smaller carvings, many of which have not fared as well against weather and exposure.

The river view is quite incredible here too, with the city of Leshan on the opposite side sitting between two forks of the river.


Further back in the park are a myriad number of other shrines, including a cave complex.

One of the cave exits pans out to this entryway, again quite impressive!


At the very bottom of the valley surrounded by these shrines is a single fountain with still water, complete with a stone frog at the bottom, ready to take any contributions!

Wenshu Temple and Grounds, Chengdu, China

My first day in Chengdu, China, I went with a friend of mine to explore the Wenshu Temple and surrounding grounds and gardens. It was a little haven of peace and quiet in the middle of a city of 11 million people. The photos above and below are both of the outer wall along the city street.


This burnt offering pot is what greets you when you first walk in the gate. There's a small complex of temples to ancestors and paths unfold from there through the gardens to other small pagodas, a tea garden, and a vegetarian restaurant as well.




Here was our little table in the tea garden. There were a lot of retired people sitting playing Mah-Jong as well. You order your tea at a window, and they give you cups with the tea leaves in them, and then an old man walks around with a pot of hot water constantly refilling your cup. He did this literally after almost every other sip, at least until we made a gesture of "thanks, that's enough." Good service!


This was just a series of wall corners along the path through the gardens. I think circles are a sign of good luck in Chinese traditional culture.





This was a view of a new construction project just outside of the temple grounds. I thought it was a good example of the contrast of old and new. I also liked the colors of the writing on the building, which I assume is advertising.


The paths of the gardens wrap around to bring you back to the main entrance and its group of buildings. Here's another gate structure with the circle for good luck.