The Baotong Temple

Yesterday a few of us visited the Baotong Temple just several blocks down the street from the Huashi campus. The Baotong Temple is one of the major Buddhist temples in China today. Construction on the temple complex began in the year 826, during the reign of Baoli in the second year of the Tang Dynasty. We walked through four different temples (but didn't take any pictures of the inside of those out of respect) and then climbed to the top of a tower temple which, if I remember correctly, was called the Hong Shan Tower. Here are some pictures from the day:

The first temple we walked through

We all thought the juxtaposition between the ancient temple with the new and ever-constant construction of modern-day China was quite fitting.

You can vaguely see the giant Buddha shrine just inside the temple doors. The artwork in each was breathtaking. Incense, candles, and chanting filled the air.

Outside another temple

One of the many places to offer up your own prayers and connect with the spirits of others through incense.

Some Chinese zodiac animals situated along the edges of the rooftops.

Another incense shrine

Nathan posing with his lion friend

The Hong Shan (Red Mountain) Tower

Found some puppies running around

These little guys lined all the staircases

Gardens! Growing some Hon Tsai Tai

Carving more Buddhas out of wood

More gardens, more Hon Tsai Tai

Looking up the Hong Shan Tower. It was quite the climb up...

...especially with these extremely small and short tunnels. Not particularly tall-people-friendly.

Climbing up!

These mini-shrines were set into the walls all the way up the tower.

A view of hazy Wuhan from the top of the tower.

Looking down on the temples, a prayer flag blowing in the wind.

Just a cool something we saw on the walk home. Not entirely sure what it is... at first we thought it was a building, but on closer inspection there is just an unused, broken down concrete structure on the inside. Perhaps it is just a piece of art. Pretty neat though, whatever it is.