Yungong Caves
The 2002 trip was from north to south, via several famous Buddhist sites. Starting in the north, the caves at Yungong, Cloud Ridge, were carved from limestone and painted along the pass to Mongolia from 500 to 1000 CE.
Cathryn spent her Junior year of college in Taiwan. She has been visiting People's Republic of China since 1977 and speaks enough Chinese to travel independently. Currently she is doing research on Chinese storytelling for her Master's Thesis in History.
Yungong Caves
The 2002 trip was from north to south, via several famous Buddhist sites. Starting in the north, the caves at Yungong,
Cloud Ridge, were carved from limestone and painted along the pass to Mongolia from 500 to 1000 CE.
Hanging Monastery
There are several hanging monasteries in China, designed to protect the monks and their scriptures and relics during religious persecution.
This one was begun around 600 CE and has halls honoring three religions, Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian.
Monk Gregg at the Hanging Monastery
Wu Tai Shan Dagoba
The Five Sacred Mountains are sanctuary to over thirty Buddhist Monasteries. Pilgrims come here from all over the world.
Here there are monks and nuns in dark red and saffron robes with glistening shaved heads. You will hear chanting and prayer wheels
spinning and observe the “No splitting at holy place!” rules.
Wu Tai Shan
Monasteries traditionally offer humble rooms to visitors from all over the world.
Ping Yao
Ping Yao is a heritage site that does not allow automobiles inside the ancient city walls. It was once a great banking and
martial arts center (think Brinks armored guards). It was frozen in time when it was bypassed by the railroad. Without much plumbing,
night soil must be regularly carted outside of the walls.
Cut Noodles
An old traditional treat: cutting noodle dough directly into the boiling water.
Bus to Tai Yuan
With a one child policy, the children are babied, especially the "little emperors".
Dazu Caves
Outside of Chongqing the Dazu caves were at their height in the Song dynasty c. 1200. They feature a gold Guan Yin with 1000 arms, each with an eye.
There are over 100 Buddhas sheltered in temple caves and depictions of the universe and heaven & hell. The scaffolding is for cleaning and restoration - after 800 years you would need a face lift too.
Gregg tempts fate...
Check!
A lot of life takes place outdoors on the streets. Here some kids play Chinese chess after school.
Yangzi River Cruise
Many of the towns had already been moved 300 feet up or even to another province in preparation for damming the river.
Mr. Li's Apartment
All cities have People's parks and most have an English corner. If you walk through, listen to the folks practicing English and join in.
We were approached and when they found I told Chinese stories, I was invited to Mr. Li's apartment for his weekly English class. The students were quite surprised tosee me and I becam eth lesson.
Several students kept in touch after by email, for more English practice.
Yao Sisters
The Yao women embroider their own clothes and do not cut their hair EVER. Usually it is bound up on their heads with beautiful silver pins,
but for a price they will let it down for you to photograph. They were so intrigued that I spoke some Chinese, they accompanied me up the hill instead of pursuing other tourists.
I didn't care about seeing their hair unfurled, but I did ask for a photo of us together and I sent them a copy.
Wind and Rain Bridge
Chenyang is a Dong minority village reached by exquisite wooden footbridges. In the wind and the rain,
they provide shelter and a social gathering place. The Dong people weave indigo cloth and harvest two crops of rice a year
AND they tell stories. I have swapped stories with a twinkle-eyed grandmother here on two visits.
