Déjà vu, but with a different looking glass
Went on another trip to Hangzhou, last week. And although I’ve been there a few times now, going in summer was a much nicer experience than before.Â
I can now appreciate why some people say that heaven is above and Hangzhou is below: with all the trees and the exotic plantation it truly is a small paradise. It was particularly spectacular this time as most of West Lake and the ponds outside of the temples were filled with lotus flowers, many of which were open, displaying their gracious flowers. I also really liked the lush vegetation that was starting to take over the many stone carved statues and monuments in and around the temples.
Also took another trip to Ling Yin temple, with its many Buddha statues and jungle like walkways that give the impression you are somewhere in Thailand rather than in the capital of Zhejiang province. The most rewarding this time was that the weather was good enough to reveal the best part of the relatively steep climb to the top: a full panoramic view over Hangzhou and West Lake. I find that the contrast between the old temple roofs and the newly emerging sky scrapers in the background adequately the two Chinas that provide so much of the climate, entertainment and sometimes friction that one experiences here.
In the temple, right at the top of the hill was also a beautiful wood carving of heaven depicted through Buddhist interpretation. Quite spectacular – well worth the climb.
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