LonelyChinaTravel China Information Center |
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LonelyChinaTravel China Information Center |
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Lingyin Temple got it name from tranquil surroundings. Be sheltered by forested hills on three sides, the temple is really a quite sanctuary.
| It is the largest and most resplendent temple in Hangzhou. The temple was first built in 326 AD some 1,600 years ago by an Indian Monk Huili.The temple consists of the Hall of the Heavenly King, Hall of the Great Hero, Hall of the Buddha of Medicine, the East and West Winding Corridors and some other buildings.
In the center of the Hall of the Heavenly King, seats a statue of Maitreya, the fat-bare-bellied Buddha with a smiling face. |
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| It prospered and flourished during the Five Dynasties Period when there were 9 buildings, 18 towers, and 72 halls with 1,300 rooms and more than 3,000 monks. | |
| Over history, the temple has been ruined and undergone renovation several times. It has recently been rebuilt to its original style.
In the hall of the Great Hero, the main hall in the temple, seated in the center is a magnificent statue of Sakyamuni, founder of Buddhism. The 19-meter-tall statue is seated on a 10.5-meter-high lotus flower amidst great red pillars and murals. Behind Sakyamuni is a colorful sculpture of 150 Buddhas. |
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| As an important Buddhist temple in the region, the temple also houses a large collection of Buddhism treasure and relics which is of great significance to explore Buddhism development in that area.
The temple now is very popular among tourists and pilgrims. It sees thousands of worshippers per day in peak season. Relatel information: |
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West Lake:
The West Lake Scenic Area Covers an area of 60 square kilometers, out of which the West Lake occupies 5.6 square kilometers with 3.3 kilometers from north to south and 2.8 kilometers from west to east.
| The lake has a circumference of 15 kilometers. It is surrounded by hills on tree sides and faces the downtown area on one side.The charming lake is a pearl that lay by the city.There are two brocade-ribbon-like causeways inside the lake, namely Bai Causeway and Su causeway, and they divide the lake into five parts.Three man-make islands named Three Pools Mirroring the moon, Mid-lake Pavilion and Mr. Ruan TYuan’s Mount stand elegantly in the outer lake. |  |
| The ‘Ten West Lake views’and the ‘Ten new West Lake views’add much more beauty to the West Lake.
The Best-Ten Views of the West Lake: |
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| Stretching around 2.8 kilometers long, it is spanned by six bridges and heavily sheltered by green vegetation.When spring comes, the whole causeway is blanketed by peach blossoms and weeping willows, creating an especially charming scene.
Orioles Singing in Ripples of Willows |
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| The stone arched bridge is at the eastern end of the Bai Causeway. The legendary tale of”Lady White Snake”took place here. After a snowfall, the snow on the sunny side melts first while snow on the shaded side still lingers. Looked from afar, the bridge appears to be broken, thus the name. This is a popular stop for many tourists. Night Bell Rolling Along the Southern Bank Viewing Fish in the Flowering Harbor This spot is located at the southern end of the Su Causeway. A clean stream leads from Huajia Hill to the West Lake through here, so it named as ‘flowery Harbor.’Viewing Fish at Flowery Harbor, now has been made into a 22 hectares park with many varieties of trees and flowers, featuring a peony garden which blooms in April and a goldfish pond which is the famous site for viewing fish. Lotus in the Breeze at the Winery Yard The Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake It locates on western end of Bai Causeway. This teahouse with its cement terrace bounded on three sides by water, become one of the traditional places to view the West Lake, especially on the mid-Autumn night when the moon is full and bright, so it named as ‘Autumn Moon on Calm Lake’The scenic spot covers an area of 6000m2. Various garden plants and flowers intermingle pavilions and platforms. Three Pools Mirroring the Moon The three stone pagodas, first built over 800 years ago,2 meters in height, are the main scenic spot calling ‘Three Pools Mirroring the Moon’ To the west of the isle stand three ball-shaped hollow stone pagodas with five round holes around.At the night of the Mid-Autumn festival, when the moon shines full and bright in the sky, a candle is lit inside each of the pagoda, the light and the moon cast their reflections through the holes on the water, hence the name. Address: Within the West Lake. Related information: |
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The Tomb located on West Lake bank is a nice historical site well worth a trip. Yuefei was a well-known general in the war against the Jin invasion in the South Song Dynasty.
| Yuefei proved to be a brilliant general, repeatedly defeating northern incursions. So the minister called Qinhui was so jealous of him that he persuaded the Emperor, Gaozhong or order Yuefei back to the court.It was just the minister’s conspire. No sooner as Yuefei stepped into the court, he was captured and then executed by a wrong accusation of disobeying military order during his mission. |  |
| The Southern Song court was soon collapsed for the treacherous conspiracy. The Song Emperor Gaozong Exonerated Yuefei and built a temple, Yue’s Temple by the West Lake to commemorate this great patriot and his son (also killed). Subsequent dynasties all contributed to the compound, the temple now is composed of a group of buildings close to the tomb. Yuefei’s tomb bears the phrase”endless loyalty and devotion to one’s country”which according to a legend was tattooed in his back by his mother when he joined the Song army. Several stone sculptures of men, horses, tigers and sheep guarded on each side of his tomb. Four statues of Qinhui, his wife and the other two betrayers were kneeling in front of the tomb. The tombs saw serials of being destroyed and rebuilt over history. Now it has been well restored and became a well-known historical site. Relatel information: |
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Day 01:Arrival inHangzhou
Our guide will pick you up at Hangzhou airport or the railway station and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is on your own to explore the city.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Day 02: Hangzhou
Visit the West Lake, the Lingyin Temple, the Six Harmonies Pagoda and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Day 03: Hangzhou -Ningbo
Take the soft seat train to Ningbo and transfer to the hotel. Visit the Tianyi Pavilion, the Tianfeng Pagoda and the Baoguo Monastery.
Accommodation: 4 -star hotel
Day 04: Ningbo -Putuo
Ferry to Putuo and transfer to the hotel. After lunch, visit the Purple Bamboo Grove Scenic Area, the Statue of South Sea Kwan-yin and the Puji Monastery. (B+L)
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Day 05: Putuo -Shanghai
Visit the Fayu Temple and the Thousand-Pace Golden Beach. Take ferry to reach Shanghai pier and transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Day 06: Shanghai
Visit the Shanghai Museum, the Yuyuan Garden, the Bund and the Nanjing Road. The Farewell Dinner is served at Wang Bao He Hotel (4 star), followed by the Portman Acrobatic Show.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Day 07: Departure from Shanghai
See off.
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Day 1: Arrive / Hangzhou
Arrive at Hangzhou. Be met & have city tours to West Lake, Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak, Six Harmonies Pagoda & Tea Plantation Farm .
- West Lake:Lying on the west edge of Hangzhou city, West Lake is the symbol of Hangzhou as well as one of the most beautiful sights in China.
- Feilai Peak: situated in front of Lingyin Temple, is famous for its more than 470 stone carvings of Buddhist figures, which dated back from the 10th to 14th centuries.
- Lingyin Temple: Lingyin Temple is one of the ten most famous ancient Buddhist temples in China. It also houses various Buddhist literature and treasures.
- Six Harmony Pagoda: Highly erected by the Qiantang River and to the south of the West Lake, it is a perfect symbol of brick-and-wood structure built in the ancient China. It was first built in 970 AD in the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127). The name “six harmonies” comes from the six Buddhist ordinances, meaning “harmonies of the heaven, earth, east, west, south and north”.
Day 2: Hangzhou
Take the bus to Shaoxing, an old traditional town in south of China. Visit Keyan, Orchid Pavilion, a famous writer -Luxun’s residence and museum.You may have a boat cruise around the town.
- Shaoxing: It is a 3000 year-old town, best known for its wine. It was the birthplace of China’s most famous pr-Liberation writer- Luxun.
Shaoxing is also attractive because it still has many old houses, streets, c
anals, and boats from centuries ago.
Day 3: Hangzhou
On day visit to the Wuzhen(about 50 minutes).Return Hangzhou in the afternoon.
- Wuzhen: A 1200-year town, with its black tiled, tung oil painted timber framework houses, that contrast sharply with its white walls and gray flagging, brings to mind a Chinese ink and wash painting.
Day 4: Hangzhou / Exit
Be transferred to the airport for the flight to
Service Ends.
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Hangzhou’s Irish Bar. Set in an exquisite turn-of-the-century house on Hefang Jie, Hangzhou’s Qing Dynasty Street. Fine selection of beers, wines and spirits.
Excellent food in the upstairs restaurant.
Live music every night, plus regular fancy dress parties organized by the owner Rowena. Aimed at the higher end customers, prices to match.
Add.: 70, Zhongshan Zhong Lu
Tel: 0571-87028760
Related Information
North Peak and South Peak are on northeast and northwest ends of Hangzhou’s West Lake, in Zhejiang Province. The peaks face each other from a distance of five kilometers. North Peak at 355 meters (1165 feet) is taller than South Peak, which is 256.9 meters (843 feet).
At one time a Buddhist monastery adorned each of the peaks. They became leading tourist attractions in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). After some years the buildings fell down in ruin.
The place was totally forgotten by travelers until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The emperor Kangxi saw the peaks during a tour of West Lake, and named it “Twin Peaks Embracing the Sky” for posterity and had pavilion with an inscribed stone pillar erected at Hongchun Bridge on Lingyin Road to memorialize the wonderful attraction.
You may relive the moment when the emperor Kangxi saw the twin peaks by taking a boat ride on West Lake in either spring or autumn.
One hears pine trees rustling in the wind while climbing up the winding path. One is rewarded with a commanding view of the city of Hangzhou and West Lake when one reaches the top of either peak. No wonder that artists find it a visitor’s shrine.
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