Ningxia – World Travel

Xumishan Grottoes Guyuan Attraction

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Heilongjiang China travel destination Xumishan Grottoes Guyuan Attraction. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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The Xumishan (“Xumi Mountain”) Grottoes lie on the eastern side of Mount Xumi in Guyuan County of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, some 50 kilometers south of the village (county town) of Guyuan and some 300 kilometers south of the city of Yinchuan. There are more than 100 grottoes in the mountain, all of which are collectively called the “Xumishan Grottoes”. “Xumi” is the transliteration of a Sanskrit word meaning “treasure mountain” (“shan” itself means “mountain” in Chinese).
On Mount Xumi there are peaks atop peaks, craggy, bizarrely-formed boulders strewn here and there, and thatches of very tall, very straight pine trees. There are also some parts of the mountain – especially the rounded, time-hewn sandstone area where most of the grottoes are located – that are completely bald, i.e., devoid not only of vegetation, but of soil. In sum, the mountain presents landscapes that are both uniquely beautiful, and strange.

The Xumishan Grottoes date mainly from the Northern (CE 386-588) Dynasties period of the Southern and Northern (CE 386-588) Dynasties era, though further grottoes were added during the course of subsequent dynasties. The locale on the mountain where the first grottoes were chiseled was formerly a giant Buddhist temple (Jingyun Temple) during the Tang (CE 618-907) Dynasty. Decades later, during the first reign (CE 1436-1449) of Emperor Zhengtong of the Ming (CE 1368-1644) Dynasty, the temple was renamed “Yuanguang Temple”. There are still grottoes in the Yuanguang Temple area, as well as a number of other grottoes in other areas on the mountain. Yuanguang Temple is one of the more prominent scenic sites within Xumishan Grottoes Scenic Area.

The first grottoes of Mount Xumi were initially chiseled during the middle to late period of the Northern Wei (CE 386-533) Dynasty. Unfortunately, years of neglect that has permitted a natural deterioration of the grottoes (primarily a deterioration of the state of the stone figures within the grottoes), due mainly to wind and rain erosion as well as to earthquakes – combined with some destruction at the hand of man – have taken their toll on the grottoes of Xumishan.

Today there are hardly more than 20 grottoes with well-preserved contents on the mountain, most of which are located in the five scenic sites of Dafo Tower, Taohua Cave, Xiangguo Temple, Yuanguang Temple, and Zisun Palace. Among all the remaining grottoes of Xumishan with well-preserved contents, grottoes nos. 45 and 46 have fared best, with the largest number of intact stone statues (more than 40 such statues). In addition, although grotto no. 51 was somewhat damaged by earthquake, it remains one of the grottoes with the largest number of intact statues.

Wind and rain erosion have also taken their toll on the grottoes themselves, though the general shape of the grotto can still be seen, revealing a vestibule, or anteroom, a main room, and two smaller rooms, one on either side of the main room. The main room has a width of 26 meters, a depth of roughly 12 meters, and a height of slightly more than 12 meters. There are three statues in the shrine of the main room: a Buddha statue and two Bodhisattva statues. In the adjacent altar are three more Buddha statues.

Many of the statues of the best-preserved grottoes are in excellent condition, being artistic rarities among all the stone statues throughout China. The grottoes of Xumishan are known the world over, as are the grottoes of Dunhuang, Yungang, and Longmen, for their precious religious and cultural heritage, not only to the Chinese people, but to all mankind. The government of China therefore took the decision in 1982 to offer the grottoes of Xumishan official recognition as one of the country’s Top-Priority National Protected Historical Sites. In 2008, Xumishan Grottoes was put on the World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites (World Monuments Watch is an organ of the NGO, World Monuments Fund).

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Laojuntai Zhongwei Attraction

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Ningxia China travel destination Laojuntai Zhongwei Attraction. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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In ancient times, Laojuntai was named “Xinglong Mountain Laojuntai Quanzhen Temple”. The rebuilding was resumed in the early years of 1990s. When Laojuntai was rebuilt on its fromer location and according to the former appearance, because the adjacent “Taiqing Mountain Hongfo Temple”was also brought into the range of it, so Laojuntai and Hongfo Temple were jointly named as “Taiqing Mountain Laojuntai Quanzhen Temple”. The specific foundation time of Laojuntai can not be traced. Qianlong Zhongwei County Annals records like this, “Laojuntai Mountain is to the east of Gushui (today’s Binggou, Changle Town). It is surrounded on three sides by mountains. Because there is Laojun Temple in the ancient time, so it is named so. ”The ancient annal describes Laojuntai like this, the uneven temple resides in the recess of whilte clouds, and the green trees surrounding the cliffs hold to the wild tables; where to store up the fundamental wisdom under the post, and when to begin to burn incense in the cavity. The characters on the old stele are cut off into the deep moss, and the leasurely wild crane leans against the green moss; if you want to pay respect to holy wisdom at Hanguan, you must first learn about the wonderland from here. From this sentence of an ancient poem, “The characters on the old stele are cut off into the deep moss”, we may also see the long history of it.

Since the foundation of Laojuntai, it suffers many kinds of disasters time and again, military turmoil, fire, earthquake, and wind erosion. The worship hall is destroyed and the cultural relics are lost. During “the great cultural revolution”, the buildings of the temple and the old pagoda outside it are destroyed in a moment and become ruins. During the middle and later periods 1980s, approved by the religious department of the former Zhongwei County, the local people spontaneously donate materials and money to repair and mend its site and rebuild the temple yard. Until the early years of 1990s, the main buildings spring up on the flat board of the peak. The former grandeur of the temple is reproduced. The main buildings of Laojuntai take Nantianmen, Taibaidian, Zhonglou, and Sanqingdian as axis. The both sides are symmetrical. These buildings gain advantage from both sides. They enjoy an imposing air and form one integrated mass. Entering from the the east, three big characters, “Quan-zhen-guan” are written on the east temple gate. These sentences are written on the couplet of the temple gate, “the holy men from the east resort to this gate for Taoism; the Buddhists from the west have been here to comprehend Taoism”. Passing the east temple gate and walking southward, you will see the main gate, the south temple gate. The gate is built with bricks and stones in the shape of spherical vault representing that the round sky and the square earth. Stepping into the hall, “Taibaidian” comes into your sight first. It erects majestically. The east and west Wenwu Pavillions are on both sides of Taibaidian. Passing the middle pavilion, you will enter into “Sanqingdian”, the main hall. The mural paintings inside the hall are the picture of the eighty one changes of Laozi. These paintings are vivid and lifelike. There is a couplet on the door of the main hall on which the following sentences are written, “One world outlook lays the foundation of Chinese traditionally intuitive way of thinking. It directs us for centuries. Scholars of China visit this temple in deep and remote mountains and alleys. Two expositions on moral elucidate the principles and doctrines of the origin and development of the universe. Tourists from the whole world visit Laojuntai with the accompaniment of white clouds and refreshing breeze”. The ground floor of the middle pavilion opposite to the main hall is “Doumuge”. On the upper floor of the middle pavilion, “Guanqinglou”lies in the north, and “Yuhuangge” lies in the south. On the both sides of the middle pavilion are the east-west ancestral hall and east-west accompanying hall. In the northernmost of the temple yard, there are nine accompanying halls. In the middle of it is “Wulaodian”. “Sanmudian”lies in the east, and “Sanguandian”lies in the west. The middle main hall appears grander against these halls.
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The Qin Dynasty Great Wall Guyuan Attraction

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Shaanxi China travel destination The Qin Dynasty Great Wall Guyuan Attraction. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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Qin dynasty and Han dynasty always confronted with the Hun nationality occupying the Mongolian Plateau, and in the Warring States Period wars often occurred between them. In Qin dynasty, the Huiwen Emperor took twenty-five cities of Yiqu area and then Zhao Emperor took the rest from Hun nationality.“Qin dynasty owned Rongxi, Beidi and Shangjun and built the Great Wall to prevent Hun nationality from wresting”. Thus, there exists the Qin dynasty Great Wall in the Warring States Period in Guyuan city.
Like a dragon, the Great Wall starts from the valley of the Yao River in Linyao county of Gansu province, passing through Weiyuan, Rongxi, Tongwei, Jingning counties and going along with the eastern bank of the Hulu River, then entering Xiji county by Beixiakou and Runmiao villages, continuing to Huangjiacha village, Yuqiao, Zhangjiezi, Haoshuichuankou, Shanmin, Xingrong, Xiejiadongpo, Wangjiawan, Hanjiabao and turning towards the east at a tuning angle of 90 degree at Jiangtai to the valley of the Malian River and Malian Shuimiao, and to Zhangyi country in Guyuan county and turning again towards the northeast at Huangbaodong to Hongzhuang country. Then it goes into Didi valley and to Sunjianzhuang and Baijiawan at which it shifts to the east to Wuzhuang, Runjiazhuang and Mingzhuang. It is divided to two walls in the northwest of Mingzhuan, namely, the Inner Wall and the Outer Wall.
The Inner Wall firstly crosses the road and climbs on the hill 5 kilometers away from Guyuan city at the northwest, passes Guzhuang, Shilipu, the Qingshui River and arrives at Shawo. The Outer Wall which forms the shape of an irregular roachback, goes through Qiaowa and the Qingshui River and turns to the southeast to meet with the Inner Wall at Shawo. The two walls are in sharp contrast. The Outer Wall is tall, thick and integral with straight lines, full of power and grandeur. However, it is broken and razed to the ground at a large extent, and its forts are mainly of the height of two to three meters. Except some breaches due to the modern roads and later gulley, the Inner Wall with a length of 8 kilometers is well preserved without any discontinuity and has forts at intervals of 200 to 230 meters.
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Zhongwei Gaomiao Temple Zhongwei Attraction

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Jiangsu China travel destination Zhongwei Gaomiao Temple Zhongwei Attraction. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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It was first established in the years of Yongle in Ming Dynasty, and named “New Temple”. In the fall of 48 of Kangxi in Qing Dynasty (1710 A.D.), it was rebuilt because it broke down in an earthquake. The construction of it continued in the second year of Daoguang, the third of Xianfeng, and the eighth of Guangxu. It was renamed “Yuhuang Temple”. When annex was made in the early years of the Republic of China, it was renamed “Gaomiao Temple”. It covers 2510 square meters. It is a group of ancient buildings with intact mould and majestic atmosphere. The Gaomiao Temple faces south. It is a temple combining three religions in one. All the main buildings are on an axis. One level leans to another and rises little by little. The subsidiary buildings situated on both sides are symmetrical and balanced. The main buildings and subsidiary buildings are connected by overline bridges, and are full of variations. On the high board of only more than 2000 square meters, about 900 worship halls with different types and styles, nine-bridged Xieshan, four-angled Zanjian, crossed Xieshan, the top of general’s helmet, and so on. The whole group of buildings is famous for the exquisiteness of its worship halls, the mutual contact of eaves teeth, the high raised upturned roof-ridge, and the bended corridors in neat order. It is really a masterpiece of ancient buildings in Ningxia. The uniqueness of the Gaomiao Temple resides not only in its perfect modeling, but also in its combining three religions, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, in one. There are altogether 174 sculptures of religious images of all kinds. Theose sculptures are so lifelike and exquisite that they dazzle the beholders. The Gaomiao Temple hell is one of the four ghost towns. Entering into the inferno is both exciting and marvelous. It is another spectacle to climb up the highest floor of Zhongwei Gaomiao Temple. Gazing far into the sky, the black spreads and the blue floats. The desert, the Yellow River, and the great wall fall under your eye. At close range, the rosy clouds are slowly rising. While at far range, the tinkling of camel bell floated from sea of desert sounds profound and sweet.
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Laolongtan (Old Dragon Deep Pool) Yinchuan Attraction

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Jiangsu China travel destination Laolongtan (Old Dragon Deep Pool) Yinchuan Attraction. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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Laolongtan is located in the east of Liupanshan Mountain, 20km southwest of Jingyuan County. It is consisted of four waterfalls. In the lower reaches of a reservoir, the first and second waterfalls are mysterious with steep precipice, and deep ponds. The third waterfall is submerged by the reservoir. When the mist is floating and the sun is projected on the water surface, it looks like a magic mirror, fantastic and splendid. In the upper reaches is the forth waterfall, winding as a dragon and limpid to the bottom. Mountains lie beside the water, and look at the reflections in the water, creating picturesque scenery.

It is not only famous for its natural beauty, but also known for its mystical legend. It is said that it is the right place where Weizheng (a chancellor of Tang Dynasty) beheaded the Dragon King of the Jin River and the red stone in the waterfall is the blood of the Dragon King.

Hugged by water and surrounded by mountains, Laolongtan is like a fairyland where your soul can be purified and your imaginations will be stimulated.
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The Zhengbeibao Fortress Ruins Yinchuan Attraction

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Gansu China travel destination The Zhengbeibao Fortress Ruins Yinchuan Attraction. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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On the wild land near the northwest outskirts of Yinchuan lie two ancient castle relics, forming the famous Zhenbeibao ancient town. This two castles serving as fortresses, were built in the period of Qing Dynasty and Ming Dynasty to defend invisions by tribes on the north side of Helan Mountain, that’s why Zhenbeibao got its name. Local people call the two castles as “New Castle” and “Old Castle”. According to local records, the Old Castle was built in the 13th year under the reign of Emperor Hongzhi (1500AD) in Ming Dynasty, while the new one was built in the 5th year under the reign of Emperor Qianlong(1740) of Qing Dynasty.
All standing west and facing east, the two castles respectively locate in the north part and the south part. The Old Castle, on the east side of the road at the foot of Helan Moutain, has been decayed to ruins, only the figure of which remains. The Old Castle stretches 175meters long from east to west, 160meters wide from south to north. The bulwark relics of the Old Castle are at the north end of the city path. To the north of the Old Castle, the New Castle lies 200meters away. The new castle has complete structure, 170m long from east to west, 150m wide from south to north and about 10m high. To the north stands a semi-circle bulwark, from south gate of which a slope can send you to the city wall. Five meters high, the wall has crenels of 1.8m high. At the four corners of city wall once was built four watchtowers, whose bases are also faintly visible.
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Chengtiansi Temple Yinchuan Attraction

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Zhejiang China travel destination Chengtiansi Temple Yinchuan Attraction. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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The renowned Chengtiansi Temple is located in the southwest of the ancient city Yinchuan, with its main gate facing east. There are four surviving buildings including Five Buddhas Palace, a pagoda, Weituo Palace, and Sleeping Buddha Palace. The palaces are spectacular and the ancient trees reach straight to the sky.

In the center of the temple is an ancient tower poking into the sky. That is Chengtiansi Tower, commonly called West Tower. With a height of 64.5 meters, it is the highest of the over 100 ancient towers in Ningxia. The gate of the tower faces the east. After entering it, you have to cross a passage 4.8 meters high to get into the tower room. Hung in each angle, the iron bells tinkle when breeze is blowing. The whole tower is tall and straight, simple and classical.

As a busy and crowded place of worship for Buddhists, it was one of the famous Buddhist Holy Lands in the West Xia Dynasty. But during the early Ming Dynasty, the temple was damaged due to war and earthquake. Later, it was renovated and then became one of the eight most famous sights of Ningxia. The temple and the tower were both damaged because of an earthquake and were rebuilt again in the Reign of Emperor Jiaqing in Qing Dynasty.

At present, it is well-preserved by the government and has become a key historical site under regional protection. Besides, a museum is built in the temple to show to the world the relics of history, nationality and military of West Xia Dynasty. Therefore, it becomes a good spot for people to perceive the passing history and feel the pulse of time.

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Lingying Mountain Rock Cave Wuzhong Attraction

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Zhejiang China travel destination Lingying Mountain Rock Cave Wuzhong Attraction. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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Brief introduction to the scenic spot:
Located in the Green Mountain Village, Lingying Mountain Rock Cave is 45 kilometers away from the south of Yanchi County. The beginning year of its construction is unclear. People began to oblate the Buddha in Tang Dynasty. Surrounded by green hills, Lingying Mountain Rock Cave was chiseled besides the mountain with colorfully painted statue inside.

Lingying Temple is commandingly standing near the mountain. The deep channel in front of the temple is long and flowing water all the year round. Reposed in the west and facing the east, the temple is 40 meters long from north to south and 20 meters long from east to west. Inside the infinitude hall, the statue of “Dangmo God”, also called the Emperor Zhenwu, and tortoise, snake god are standing on each side of the temple.

There is also 13-hole rock cave inside the temple and 11 of them have a temple number for each which are sequence as follows: number one: Dragon Temple, number two: NiangNiang Temple, number three: Drug King Temple, number four: Bodhisattva Temple, number five: Baizi Kwan-yin Temple, number six: Sakyamuni Temple, number seven:Vision Bodhisattva Temple, number eight: Emperor Ling Temple, number nine: Sanhuang Temple, number ten: Mazu Hole and number eleven: Mammon Temple. The statues inside the hole are real, wonderful and in different kind of modal; and the frescoes are characterized by the beautiful pictures, harmonious tones and fancy drawing.
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Tianzhou Old Pagoda Shizuishan Attraction

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Guangdong China travel destination Tianzhou Old Pagoda Shizuishan Attraction. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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Brief Introduction to the Attraction:
Generally called Yaofu Pagoda, Tianzhou Old Pagoda is standing in the shade of crowed willow trees, 1km east from Yaofu town and 20km from Pingluo county. It is arranged in 8 levels and built by bricks, 38m high and in plan hexagon. The top of the pagoda is shaped like a reverse dipper and the diameter at the bottom is 7.5m. In the south and the north is respectively one door, on both sides of which there are antithetical couplets written strongly and beautifully. Having experienced about a hundred earthquakes, big or small, over the past hundreds of years, Tianzhou Old Pagoda was rebuilt during Emperor Qianlong’s reign(1783) of Qing dynasty. In 1980, it was kept in repair, financed by the people’s government of Luoping county.
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Jade Emperor Pavilion Yinchuan Attraction

WorldTravelDB.com — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:59:57 +0000

Guizhou China travel destination Jade Emperor Pavilion Yinchuan Attraction. View more details including related videos clips reviews comments and rating.

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Jade Emperor Pavilion lies in the East Street in the downtown of Yinchuan city. According to historical records, Jade Emperor Pavilion was built during the reign of Emperor Hongwu in Ming Dynasty, with a history of 600 years. It is one of the most important historical relics of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Jade Emperor Pavilion is a traditional wooden building with compact construction and refined technical art. It is of high value for the studies of the constructions of early Ming Dynasty on the arts and crafts skills. The main loft of Jade Emperor Pavilion is a two-story attic about 22.1 meters high. The foundation is a rectangular platform, 19 meters high, 37.6 meters long in the southeast direction and 25 meters wide in the northwest direction. Jade Emperor Pavilion gets this name for it houses a statue of Jade Emperor.

Jade Emperor Pavilion is the only existing ancient wooden pavilion of Yinchuan city. Some mini exhibitions of art, calligraphy and relics are often held there. Now Jade Emperor Pavilion is one of cultural relic sites under provincial protection of the Ningxia.
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