Leshan -- home of the Big Buddha

Leshan, in Sichuan Province southwest China, is home to the world's largest Buddha.


On a clear day, from my hotel room I could seen the giant Buddha (carved into the cliffside at the confluence of the three rivers, just beyond the island). Also, every night he is lit up, and thus much more visible.


Soon after checking into the hotel, I noticed people riding the current down river. This seems to be a popular sport in Leshan. After the long swim, they walk back upstream through town, often barefoot and wearing only a swimsuit


That's a large metal top that he's whipping.For some reason these men with whips are often shirtless.


I spotted this man early one morning practicing tai chi in the hotel lobby.


Grand entranceway to the big Buddha.


It's about a 20-minute walk from the entranceway to the Buddha, so I snapped a few shots along the way.


There he is, and he doesn't disappoint.


If you have the patience, you can make your way down the long, crowded, narrow stairway, to get a view from the bottom.



Yes, no doubt about it, definitely a VERY big Buddha.


You can see to the left the narrow stairway heading down to the Buddha's feet.


On my way out, after a long morning visit and a stop at a teahouse.


I wonder if everyone experiences this feeling from time to time.


My driver from the Big Buddha site.


Big event going on at the hotel where I was staying. She steam ironed every one of those chair covers.


A long, 23-hour ride back to Beijing, but at least I was in a sleeper car (albeit a very noisy one due to a hyperactive little boy).

Emei Shan

Emei Shan (Emei Mountain), located in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, is "one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains."


Emei Shan resident enjoying a bread snack.


Why walk when you can ride.




Waiting to carry some tired hikers.


Arduous work, both men and women carry heavy loads of cement up to the top of the mountain.


The heavy duty walking sticks are also used as seats for taking a rest.





At Emei Shan's Golden Summit, a 150-foot golden statue of Samantabhadra, representing "the absolute, naked, sky-like primordial purity of the nature of our mind"


Each day many many Buddhist pilgrims make their way to Emei Shan's sacred summit.
https://www.google.com/search?q=buddhist+pilgrims+emei+shan&rlz=1C1AOHY_enUS709US709&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGh4zx9cTWAhUCMyYKHcMXBisQsAQIJw&biw=1280&bih=643


Perched on the Golden Summit, Jinding Temple.

Chengdu

Chengdu, Sichuan Province (southwestern China), is about 23 hours by train from Beijing, or about a 3-hour flight. I flew from Beijing, then took the train back.


I remember this restaurant from last year's visit to Chengdu.


The Chinese seem to have a thing for dry ice drinks.


Statue at Wuhou, a huge temple area that was rebuilt in 1672.


Spotted this "cab" driver just after I left Wuhou Temple. It's nice when people actually smile for the camera.


Sweets seller on a Chengdu street.


The Shufeng Yayun Teahouse offers 90-minute shows every night at 8 pm. It's a fantastic old theater in Chengdu's Culture Park. There's music, puppet shows, fire breathing, face changing (i.e., changing masks at the blink of an eye), Chinese plays. Tea and snacks are served, and if you go early you can photograph the performers putting on their makeup (which I took full advantage of). Also, for those interested, there's massage, and ear cleaning services.












View from the terrace of my hotel room at Wenjun Mansion, an interesting old place, but not as grand as its name implies. Upon check-in I happened to mention I was writing a hotel review for Booking.com, and subsequently was upgraded to the best room in the hotel (4-room family suite, top floor, with bathtub and 2 TVs)and given a discount coupon for the hotel restaurant.


In addition to Shufeng Yayun Teahouse, you can also get your ears cleaned while enjoying a cup of tea at He Ming Teahouse, located in Chengdu's People's Park.


This photo also taken at He Ming, the huge tea house in People's Park.

Badaling

Located about 50 miles northwest of Beijing, Badaling is the most visited section of the Great Wall. It's also the only section you can visit via the train. Due to it's carnival-like atmosphere, many people avoid it like the plague. To celebrate Labor Day, I went up for a visit (my previous visit was also on a holiday -- Thanksgiving).


There are free shuttle buses from Badaling Train Station to the wall.


But once you get off the bus, and before you're actually up on the wall, there are dozens and dozens of souvenir shops, restaurants, etc.








They're trying on hats. I later saw them up on the wall where they pulled me aside to do a little impromptu photo shoot.




If you want, you can even go for a camel ride in the parking lot.


Once past all of that, there's cable cars up to the wall (or you can walk up if you prefer).





Like many tourist sites in China, Badaling can get really really crowded, especially on a late-summer day like today when the weather is fine.







Looks like they decided to buy the hats.