Suzhou Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Shengquan (Sacred Spring) Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Shengquan Temple in Xiao County | Taste the ancient temple in Suzhou
Shengquan Temple is located behind Fengshan in the north of Xiao County, Anhui Province, China, about 1.5 kilometers away from the urban area. This temple was built during the Northern Song Dynasty and was named "Shengquan" because there is a spring next to it that never dries up all year round and has sweet water. Shengquan Temple is not only one of the eight scenic spots in Xiaocheng, but also a famous tourist attraction locally.
The temple is built according to the mountain, with majestic halls and a quiet environment. In history, Shengquan Temple attracted many literati to visit. The most famous of them was Su Shi, a literary scholar in the Northern Song Dynasty. He visited Shengquan Temple during his tenure as the governor of Xuzhou and left the beautiful story of "Dongpo tasting tea and knowing holy water".
The spring water of Shengquan Temple is considered to be top-quality mineral water, especially popular in summer. Many tourists and local residents come to fetch water to cool off. There are also other natural landscapes around the temple, such as Taohua Cave and Xian Cave, which provide a rich sightseeing experience for tourists.
Today, Shengquan Temple is not only a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, but also an important place for tourists to understand local culture and history. The restoration and management of the temple have also received attention from the local government, becoming a national 2A-level tourist scenic spot integrating natural scenery and cultural landscape.
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Yuji Cultural Park Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Farewell My Concubine
Yu Ji (224-202 BC), from present-day Suqian or Shuyang in Jiangsu, was a beauty of Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu during the Chu-Han Contention. She accompanied Xiang Yu throughout the dire situation of being surrounded on all sides, for whom Xiang Yu composed the 'Song of Gaixia'. It is said that Yu Ji was stunningly beautiful and talented, with a graceful dance, and was known as 'Yu the Beauty'. Later generations, based on the 'Song of Gaixia' and the 'Song to King Xiang' which is said to have been composed by Yu Ji, speculated that she ended her life by committing suicide in the Chu camp, thus giving rise to the legend of 'Farewell My Concubine'.
Once the all-powerful Overlord of Western Chu, seeing the situation was hopeless, couldn't help but become sentimental in the end. He drank and expressed his feelings with Yu Ji in the tent, singing the ever-lasting 'Song of Gaixia'. Yu Ji also stood up, drew her sword and danced, tearfully singing the 'Song to King Xiang', 'The Han soldiers have already taken the land, the songs of Chu are heard from all directions. The king's spirit is exhausted, why should I, a lowly concubine, live on!' Faced with Yu Ji's singing, Xiang Yu was moved to tears. After the song, she committed suicide with her sword, and Xiang Yu took her head and broke through the encirclement on horseback.
The 'Song to King Xiang' had completely revealed her feelings to Xiang Yu. Yu Ji knew well that Xiang Yu was defeated and that if she was captured by the Han army, her end would be very tragic. Therefore, Yu Ji decided to follow him in death, to show her determination with death. The five words 'why should I, a lowly concubine, live on' revealed Yu Ji's state of mind at the time, and explained to later generations why Yu Ji would commit suicide.
Yu Ji's beauty and bravery, her tragic and poignant end, have moved countless generations.
From ancient times to the present, heroes have sacrificed themselves, beauties have died for love, widows have remained widowed, this is the need for a certain social value orientation. Yu Ji, time and again on stage, committing suicide with her sword, is deeply moving and makes people sigh, all to fulfill the moral values that have been passed down to this day.
The three words 'Yu the Beauty' have now become a cultural resource. Not only used as a 'lyric pattern' in Song Dynasty lyrics, allowing literati to write poems to express their feelings, but also as a 'brand' for flowers, Yu Ji's hometown has become a land of flowers.
GEMMA PITTMAN
Wuhu Park Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Suitable for people who like to stroll around on Sundays
The beautiful scenery of Dai Lake Park in Xiao County, Suzhou City is picturesque. Walking around Dai Lake Park, you can see the sparkling lake, listen to the birds in the forest. There is also a playground that children are most happy about, where you can always hear the innocent laughter of children. From the air, Dai Lake is shaped like a butterfly, with the porous Dai Lake Bridge passing through the lake, like the body of a butterfly, blending with the surrounding buildings. This is the city's green lung and a good place for the public to relax and exercise in their spare time. How beautiful, how leisurely, how beautiful Xiao County is!
Wanderlust Bites
Laoshan Ancient City Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Dangshan Red Mountain Temple | Famous Buddhist temple in Dangshan County, Suzhou City
Dangshan Red Mountain Temple is an ancient temple located in Dangshan County, Suzhou City, Anhui Province, built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, with a history of more than 1500 years. The environment here is beautiful and quiet, making it a very suitable place for sightseeing and pilgrimage. Here is a guide to the Dangshan Red Mountain Temple, hope it can help you.
1. Transportation:
After arriving in Dangshan County by train or long-distance bus, you can take the local bus or taxi to the Red Mountain Temple. The bus fare is about 5 yuan, and the taxi fare is about 30 yuan.
2. Accommodation:
There are many hotels and guesthouses near Dangshan Red Mountain Temple for you to choose from, with prices ranging from tens to hundreds of yuan. If you plan to stay in the temple, you can contact the temple management department in advance to understand the related matters of accommodation.
3. Catering:
There are many restaurants near the Red Mountain Temple, offering a variety of local specialties, such as Dangshan crispy pears, baked buns, wontons, etc. In addition, the temple also provides vegetarian meals for you to taste.
4. Tourist attractions:
(1) Red Mountain Temple: There are many halls in the temple, such as the Daxiong Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Dizang Hall, etc., enshrining many Buddha statues and god statues. You can burn incense, pray, and visit here.
(2) Red Mountain Lake: Located near the Red Mountain Temple, the lake is clear and the environment is beautiful. You can go boating, fishing, and enjoy the lake and mountain scenery here.
(3) Pear Garden: Dangshan County is a famous hometown of crispy pears. You can visit the nearby pear garden, understand the growth process of crispy pears, and taste fresh crispy pears.
(4) Paper-cut Art Museum: Dangshan paper-cut art has a long history. You can visit the Paper-cut Art Museum, appreciate the exquisite paper-cut works, and experience the fun of paper-cutting.
5. Pilgrimage activities:
The Red Mountain Temple holds some Dharma meetings every year, such as the Spring Festival temple fair, the Bathing Buddha Festival on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, and the Yulan Pen Festival on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month. On these days, the temple will hold grand celebrations, attracting many believers to come for pilgrimage.
6. Precautions:
(1) Respect Buddhist etiquette, dress appropriately when entering the temple, and do not make loud noises.
(2) Observe the regulations of the scenic area and do not litter in the scenic area.
(3) Pay attention to safety, do not smoke or drink in the temple.
(4) If you need to take pictures of the scenery in the temple, please get the consent of the management staff.
Hope this guide can help you have a pleasant journey in Dangshan Red Mountain Temple. Wish you a pleasant journey!
Maximus_Blackwood
Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Apr)
Suzhou Bian River Museum: The entire building is shaped like a giant ship with sails, known as 'Voyage'
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The Suzhou Bian River Museum is located on the south bank of the new Bian River scenic area in Suzhou city, with the shape of a giant ship sailing far away.
The meandering Bian River has nurtured Suzhou, and in history, amidst the mist and clouds, the Bian River winds for thousands of miles, with hundreds of boats competing. To ensure the transportation along the Bian River, Suzhou was established in the fourth year of Yuanhe during the reign of Emperor Xianzong of Tang, with the ancient Bian River flowing through the city, unveiling the history of Suzhou's establishment. Thus, Suzhou became an important town along the Bian River and a gathering place for merchants and famous traders.
The entire building of the Bian River Museum is called 'Voyage', symbolizing the development of Suzhou setting sail. The upper sail is a red irregular steel structure, 26 meters high, and the base of the ship is divided into three exhibition halls, which display the past, present, and future of the new Bian River respectively.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 9 am to 11:30 am, and from 3 pm to 5 pm, with free admission.
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Suzhou Frequently Asked Questions
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