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Hongfu Temple
Originally built in 1667, it is the largest temple of Zen Buddhism in Guizhou Province. It features majesty and sobriety. Hongfu means to develop Buddha's spirits and to benefit mankind. Today it is rated as one of the 142 national key temple scenic areas as well as the key cultural relic preservation in Guizhou Province.
On entering the gate of the temple, you will see the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower on both sides. The bronze bell weighs more than 3,000 Jin in Chinese measurement (equal to about 3,300 pounds), and was cast in 1469 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
In the first hall named Heavenly King Hall, you can see the statues of Maitreya Buddha and the four Heavenly Kings. On the walls there are also steles of sutra and colorful paintings. The second main hall is the Bodhisattva Hall dedicated to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara with 32 arms. In the third hall named Mahavira Hall there are gilded statues of Sakyamuni and the 18 Arhats. There's also a jade Buddha statue from Rangoon, the capital of Burma. It is 1.5 meters high and weighs 900 kilograms. The statue looks beneficent but solemn, and it stands among more than 10 other jade statues of Bodhisattva and Maitreya.
Besides these superb halls, the temple is also adorned with galleries, pools, and springs, which are of high artistic value.
Qianling Park
The park was named for the Qianling Mountain, which is the most famous mountain in southern Guizhou. As one of the noted attractions on the Guizhou plateau, it boasts clear water, green mountains, tranquil forests and old temples. Inside the park, trees verdantly grow and streams gurgle down into the valley. There is a "holy fountain" up the mountain whose water is so clean that local people consider it coming from the heaven. The flowing steams from the fountain and the mist surrounding the forest make it one of the greatest eight scenic spots in Guiyang. The lake of Qiangling lies at the foot of the mountain like a green pearl. Trees and pavilions are seen around the lake, which constitutes a peaceful and elegant atmosphere for the visitors. More than 500 energetic and enchanting macaques live in the mountain in the park and this add to the features of the park.
About 1500 kinds of trees and flowers as well as 1000 kinds of herbs have been found there in the Qianling Mountain. And there are gregarious macaques and flocks of birds too. Visitors may go up the winding path to the Hongfu Temple up the hill. This temple is one of the most famous Buddhism temples in Guizhou province, which is first built in the year 1672. On the way to the temple, up in the sharp cliffs, stone inscriptions can be seen here and there. Among them, the most notable one is the 6.2-meter-high and 3.7-meter-wide Chinese character of "Tiger", which was written by a man called Zhao Dechang in the year 1860. Its calligraphy is skillful and unique and is of high history value. Up on the top of the mountain, there is a pavilion, which overlooks the whole city. Down at the foot of the mountain, lies the mirror-like lake of Qianling. On its bank, among the trees, stands a memorial for the martyrs who died during the war of liberation of Guizhou Province.
There is a Kylin Cave up the mountain, which is also one of the key cultural relic preservations in Guizhou Province. During the the War of Resistance against Japan, the patriotic generals Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng were captured and imprisoned here at the cave.
The "holy fountain" is also referred to as the "increscence fountain" or the "strainer fountain". It is in a village called Shanqiao, which is about 600 meters to the southwest of Qianling Lake. The altitude there is 1180 meters, 90 meters higher than that of the lake. The waters originate from among the rocks half way up the mountain and its volume may vary hundreds of times during a day, which gives it the name of "increscence fountain"
JiaXiu Tower
Jiaxiu Tower is a magnificent 3-level pavilion about 20 meters high. Its turnup eaves and white stone pillars are well carved and preserved. Located in water, connected by the Fuyu Bridge (Floating Bridge) at two banks, the tower has green tiles, red pillars, engraved windows and white stone parapets, which makes it superb and striking. Ascending the tower, visitors can get a good view of the surrounding scenery.
The tower has a long history. During the Ming dynasty (1573-1620), the local majesty, Jiang Dongzhi, ordered to build a causeway at where the tower locates today, linking to the southern bank of the Nanming River. Later a pavilion was built to honor the first scholar of the time and hoped that would encourage more scholars to follow the example. Thus the tower was named "Jiaxiu tower", which means "First Sholar's Tower". In 1621, the original pavilion was burnt in a fire and the stadholder of the time made it rebuilt. In 1689, it was destroyed again, and then, Majesty Tianwen rebuilt it again. So far, the tower has been reconstructed 6 times. For 400 years, it has become the symbol of the city, witnessing the history as well as the future of the development of the Guiyang city.
Inside Jiaxiu Tower, there is a good collection of authentic works and paintings from ancient calligraphers. Of them, the most famous one is the couplet written by Liu Yushang in the Qing Dynasty. This couplet consists of 206 words as a whole, with 87 words in the first and the second line respectively, which is 26 words more than the "Longest couplet" preserved in the Big Guan Tower in Kunming. This couplet is notable not only for its length, but also for its literatural value. Its choice of words is so delicate and magnificent that it looks into not only the history of the tower but also the universal life of human being.
Under the Jiaxiu Tower, is the Fuyu Bridge (Jade Floating Bridge). It is made of white stone and the parapets are well engraved. From distance, the bridge looks like a dragon floating in the river.
The night scene of the tower is the most impressive. Colorfully decorated with lanterns, reflected in water, the tower looks so beautiful that people may feel as if they had been back to the ancient times.
Hongfeng Lake
Hongfeng Lake is an artificial lake on the Guizhou Plateau, built in 1958 when the reservoir was under constrution. A lot of maple trees grow around the lake on the mountain, and the lake takes its name since these maple trees' leaves turn red every fall.
The scenic area is made up of four parts: the North Lake, the South Lake, the Rear Lake and the minority ethnic villages, each radiating its unique charm.
Hongfeng Lake can be appreciated at four different seasons. In spring, visitors may enjoy the blooming of the flowers; in summer, visitors may play with the clear and clean water; in autumn, the trees will display various colors; and in winter, flocks of birds will make it a good place to visit.
There are some ethnic villages with interesting examples of village architecture in the scenic area, including a DiaoJiaolou (Miao traditional house), a Buyi flagstone house and a Dong drum tower that has a roofed bridge. The drum tower can be reached by boat. In accordance with village custom, visitors will get a warm welcome; they may taste many special ethnic foods and snacks there too. It will be such an interesting experience that they may be reluctant to leave.
Tianhe Pool
The scenic resort area covers 15 square kilometers. It centers on a clear pool surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs covered with green trees. Tianhe Pool is a typical naturally sunken pit of calcified rocks. The scenic area has four major sections, including a clacified stalactite waterfall, the Xiangba Trench, a water cavern and a dry one, each with its own characteristic features.
There are two natural limestone caves in the cliffs. One of them is a treasure house of stalactites of different images. The 210-meter wide stalactite waterfall is the widest of the kind in China. Roaring waters from the hill create caves of different sizes and shapes. When the waters are abundant, they are like jumping tigers and running horses; when the waters are not so powerful, mists from the river fly at the gust of wind. The 100-step stone bridge over the Wolong Lake cast its reflections in the mirror-like water. All constitutes beautiful scenery in the Chinese painting.
The other cave can be toured by boat, which carries visitors down the Tongtian River for a look at the Canch Palace, Tidal Pool, the underground Heavenly Pavilion and several other attractions. The Longtan Cave is about 1000 meters long, with the widest opening of 80 meters, and the narrowest 20 meters. The water is about 21 meters deep. Nature has created different shapes of stalactites beyond your imagination. Karst landforms like fissures, sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns can be found there. On the ground, the remaining parts of a limestone cave form a natural bridge, like the spine of the dragon. All this offers a unique view.
The resort is close to Miao settlements. Walking along the Xingba Trench, tourists can see waterwheel, water grind and enjoy the Miao village flavors.
There is a cableway between two of the mountains. Visitors can slide down the wire, overlooking the city and experience the feeling of flying in the sky.
Qingyan Ancient Town
Qingyan Ancient Town covers an area of 3 square kilometers. The town retains a lot of historic layout and ancient buildings, from the Ming Dynasty or even Qing Dynasty. In the town, visitors may have the chance to see well-preserved stone-slab lanes, archways, watchtowers and battlements. Now, the ancient town is famous for its "9 temples, 8 shrines, 5 pavilions, 3 caves, 2 ancestral halls, 1 palace and 1 academy". Most of them are well preserved and are worth visiting.
The town is indeed a place made up of stone. Historic relics can be seen almost everywhere. Among its 37 tourist attractions are 9 temples, 8 shrines, 5 pavilions, 3 caves, 2 ancestral halls, 1 palace and 1 academy. There are three ancient archways too. Most of these ancient buildings are exquisitely carved with terrapins, dragons and other traditional Chinese patterns.
The ancient town has a history of more than 600 years. It was originally established as a post station in 1378. Because of its important situation, it played an important role along the ancient post route from Guangxi to Guizhou, from which government documents and military intelligence were sent to and from the post. Later, an army of solders were sent to the station and built it as their fortress. After years of changing, it became today's Qingyan town.
Qing Yan owns some famous local specialties as well. One of them is Rose Candy (also known as Mia Pian Candy in Chinese) made by the Ping family in Qing Yan town. History of the Candy can be traced back as early as 1874 and it is passed down through generations in the old town. Today the fragrant and sweet candy becomes a famous brand and is still liked by young and old.
Another local product is Qing Yan Shuanghua Vinegar. The liquid of the vinegar is quite thick and is of the color of dark red. The vinegar tastes of slight sweetness in the mouth and the fragrance lasts long. Local Guiyang people like it very much.
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