Iron Flower and Colorful Fireworks @ Mount Qiyun Resort in China

I didn't think much of the hotel we were staying at, at the foot of Mount Qiyun, one of four sacred Taoist mountains in China; until nightfall and we ventured towards the entrance, where a stage was built right in front of a stone plaque with the word "道".

A huge crowd had congregated at the stage area and since our group was mainly of an older generation, we decided to stand further away, where there were platforms for the old folks to rest and wait patiently for the "show" to start. 

And boy was I glad to have waited. It was a performance of 打铁花; literal translation is hitting iron flowers. I first knew about this intangible cultural heritage art from a Chinese drama; Story of Yanxi Palace which was aired in 2018! 

Without all the lights dimmed, except for that glaring pavilion as a backdrop, the massive sparks were spectacular! Dating back more than a millennium ago, this involves heating "iron to temperatures exceeding 1,300°C to 1,600°C in a puddling furnace".

"Wearing protective gear, the performers would use special iron spoons to scoop up the liquid metal and forcefully hurl it against a cold brick wall or high into the night sky, creating massive tree-crown-shaped sparks upon impact or oxidation" - resulting in this beautiful sight that attracted a lot of wows from the audience. 

After which, there appeared to be long tongues of fire. As we were quite far, I didn't manage to see what it was all about but to be honest, to be situated further actually allows us to take in the full sight, not to mention safer. 

Lucky girl had a better view than me!

Hope this would be a good memory for her.

Lasting about ten minutes, I thought this would be all, and it's time for us to retire back to our hotel and have an early night. But hey, this is China and their performances are unlike others. 

The stunning fireworks surprised us and they were multi-colored; lighting up the dark skies and literally lifted the moods of everyone in the audience; the magical effect of fireworks and they lasted for more than five minutes! 

Enough words; please refer to the video! 

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Click HERE for our 8 Days Huangshan, Tunxi, Yixian, Wuyuan, Mount Qiyun, Thousand-Island Lake, Hangzhou Tour Package to China via CTC Travel Agency

Xiangji Temple (香积寺) @ Hangzhou City in China

With a history since AD 978, Xiangji Temple was located along the 1,776 kilometers long grand canal, which was a major commercial canal from Beijing to Hangzhou.

It was impressive but you have to note that the original temple was destroyed in the 13th century, and once again damaged in 1968 during the cultural revolution.

Hence, many of the structures in front of us were much newer, and in fact younger than I am, given that they were restored, rebuilt in 2010, just about 16 years ago. 

Instead of stone lions, typical for most, if not all Chinese temples, we have stone elephants here! And no, I think they were made of marble; expensive woah! 

Getting in via the gantry. Well, there's an admission fee and that's quite interesting since event the super beautiful buddha tooth relic temple in Singapore has free admission. 

Main hall had a relatively strange name, as it is related to cooking. Apparently, the patron deity for the temple was the Kitchen Guardian Bodhisattva (監齋菩薩), the "protector, supervisor, and guardian of monastery kitchens and refectories (dining halls)"!

Incense urn! 

Towering statues in the main hall and I was wondering why they were literally merged as one. Is this a genderless bodhisattva? According to the Buddhist cosmology, "all enlightened Bodhisattvas ultimately transcend earthly binary sex and are fundamentally genderless". 

Nevertheless, the entrance for the lady-looking bodhisattva seemed to infer another being; Bodhisattva Wonderful Sound (妙音菩薩), using "music and subtle sounds to communicate across dimensions, soften the hearts of sentient beings, and spread the Dharma".

Mahavira Hall (大雄寶殿) - a must-have hall for Buddhist temples.

The last of the three main buildings situated in the center of the almost 200-meter deep temple. Like most temples, only the ground floor is open to the general public.

Inside, for reference. Even though I classify myself as Buddhist, I am not that devout and couldn't recognize most of the buddhas and bodhisattvas. And if you are a true buddhist, recognizing them isn't necessary in the first place.

Hence, just more photographs for your viewing pleasure, without much words. In all, Xiangji Temple had a peaceful atmosphere and without the racket from excessive crowds, it's quite nice to walk around to relax. 

Should you wish to donate, there's cash.

And an option to pay via QR code! 

One of the notable attractions for Xiangji temple is located outside the ticketed compound; the set of twin pagodas which originated in 1713 but one was destroyed during the cultural revolution, and rebuilt in 2009. Which was the old one? If you are standing facing the temple, it shall be the one on your right. 

Contrasting red and green leaves.

So beautiful right?!

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Address

No. 1 Xiangji Temple Lane, Gongshu District, 

Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

Map

As above.

Floor Map

As above (in Chinese)

Pricing

Adult - 20 RMB

Child / Senior Citizens - 10 RMB

Click HERE for our 8 Days Huangshan, Tunxi, Yixian, Wuyuan, Mount Qiyun, Thousand-Island Lake, Hangzhou Tour Package to China via CTC Travel Agency