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Shibaozhai Temple and Countryside
Shibaozhai Temple and Surroundings

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Shibaozhai1 Along the river is an ancient sacred Buddhist temple, the Shibaozhai. This temple was closed, but preserved, during the Cultural Revolution when so many other religious symbols were destroyed. As the river water rises, the island it sits on will be protected, though the water will come up almost to the edge of the temple site itself. Shibaozhai1
Shibaozhai1a Entry archway into the Shibaozhai Temple area. Shibaozhai1a
Shibaozhai2 This is the archway to the inner courtyard of the Shibaozhai Temple. Shibaozhai2
Shibaozhai3 Roofline of the outer wall. This picture was interesting, but was also an excuse to rest for a moment on the way up. The Temple is 14 stories tall, and the Shibaozhai3
Shibaozhai4 Another view of the ornate roof line, along with some of the surrounding countryside and the river. Shibaozhai4
Shibaozhai4j View out one of the windows. Each story of the Temple as you climb is little more than an unlit room simply leading to the next set of Shibaozhai4j
Shibaozhai5 A few of the rooms on the way up had similar inscriptions. The Temple is literally built into the side of the cliff, with the natural solid rock wall serving as the support. Shibaozhai5
Shibaozhai6 Close up of the inscription. Unfortunately, no English translation was available. This site has not been Shibaozhai6
Shibaozhai7 Taken out one of the Shibaozhai7
Shibaozhai8 As you near the top, these carvings are revealed. Shibaozhai8
Shibaozhai9 Whew! Finally! We've reached the top to the main temple area. This is the archway into the temple. Shibaozhai9
Shibaozhai10 The ascent building is rough and solid. However, once you reach the upper Temple grounds, it all becomes more delicate and refined. Shibaozhai10
Shibaozhai11 Inside the temple are a series of statues to Buddhist notables. The next several images are of the male figures. The several rooms housing these statues are unlit with only a small amount of natural light coming in through the doorways. To the naked eye, these seem dull and dingy because of it. However, when lit by a camera flash, as seen here, the colors really come alive! Shibaozhai11
Shibaozhai12 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai12
Shibaozhai13 A mural in one of the statutory rooms. Shibaozhai13
Shibaozhai14 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai14
Shibaozhai15 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai15
Shibaozhai16 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai16
Shibaozhai17 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai17
Shibaozhai18 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai18
Shibaozhai19 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai19
Shibaozhai20 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai20
Shibaozhai21 You definitely get the sense of several different cultural influences in this temple, from very typically asian, to this one which seems more Arabic. The statues, even without translation, show that China was in many ways a melting pot of the East, gaining religious influences from many different sectors. Shibaozhai21
Shibaozhai22 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai22
Shibaozhai23 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai23
Shibaozhai24 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Shibaozhai24
Shibaozhai25 Another intricate mural in a statue room. Shibaozhai25
Shibaozhai26 This elaborate seal/symbol was also in one of the rooms. Shibaozhai26
Shibaozhai27 The coloration in this was gorgeous. Shibaozhai27
Shibaozhai28 This courtyard was between the initial set of statutory rooms and the next. Shibaozhai28
Shibaozhai29 There's a fable associated wiht this bridge. It is said if you can cross this bridge in 3 steps, you will have long life. Shibaozhai29
Shibaozhai30 The next buildings housed the womens' statuary. Like the men, these were arranged in groupings of 3-4 on each side of the room. Shibaozhai30
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