frauke at large

Took a short trip off campus yesterday to go and investigate the region around Ningbo. Went to a place called ‘Tiantong Temple’ which lies in the Taibai Mountains, around 25 km east of the city. I have, on good days (when they have not been hidden by pollution and dust), been able to see the mountains from my office, however I had no idea that they would be so picturesque. Quite a find and revelation, I must say!

The temple was built in 300 AD in the West Jin Dynasty. Driving towards it we passed several tea plantations, fields of vegetables and some very beautiful countryside, again something I was unaware existed so close by. Due to the tropical weather, fog submerged parts of the mountains and made the bamboo woods on either side of the temple buildings emanate a real air of mystery. The combination of the different textures of the bamboo, mist and rooftops was just stunning. Reminded me somewhat of the ‘House of Flying Daggers‘ movie. Unfortunately it does not quite come out in the photos – but wait until I bring my DSLR camera …

The temple is designed in a way that as one travels from temple room to temple room, one moves upwards towards the hilltop, allowing for some stunning views over the area. I assume that this assent could be a symbolic reflection of the many different steps towards enlightenment – part of the Buddhist belief system.

There are also monks still living at the temple, something I had previously only see in Lijiang; one of which was carving Chinese characters into a stone plate to commemorate donors to the monastery.

Also wanted to go and see a tea plantation to pick our own tea, however unfortunately, due to the mist and fog in the area, the place was shut and we will have to return another time.

Feed on comments to this Post