Visiting the Buddhist Temple at Ciqikou Ancient Town 磁器口古镇的寺庙

(first set of steps leading from the entrance to the main compound of the temple)

(me in front of the second set of steps leading up to the temple courtyard)

(a view out onto the river from a platform below one of the temple's towers)

(cool latticery below one the the temple's three towers)

(side of a temple hall)

(a lanterny thing, a view of the incense vessel in the background in front of one of the temple's halls)

(people admiring the votive candles they had just lit)

(votive candles lit in front of one of the main halls, the building behind the candles is where you buy incense and the candles themselves. The baskets on the ground are for disposing of the plastic wrappers that cover your incense sticks.)

In the very early days of December Frances (a British friend), and I got out of the hustle and bustle of the city and escaped to the ancient town of Ciqikou. While we were there we suddenly remembered that the little ancient town had a temple. It was late in the afternoon (around 5pm), so we rushed over to the main gate to see if it was open. It was! After paying 5 yuan as an entrance fee, recieveing complementary rolls of incense to burn, and after marveling at the great amount of steps before, us we pressed on.

Being on the temple grounds was like being in a whole different world! It was quiet! Hardly any people were lingering about, and the sound of people hawking to spit could not be heard at all.

Both Frances and I were at peace.

Coincidentially we both like photography. Most of our time was spent enjoying the atmosphere and taking photos where we could. Photography is limited in temples. No photography is allowed at all inside any of the halls.

I decided that I wanted to burn my incense. Slowly I walked over to where a young couple was lighting their incense. They lit the incese by holding it to the votive candles burning in front of one of the halls near the large stone incense plate. They made sure it was burning and then cautiously walked towards the plate. Gingerly, the woman stuck the bunch of incense in the ashes on the plate. She clapped her hands together over her head and bowed a few times. It looked like she was praying, she probably was. Next her beau did the same.

A minute or two passed and they moved on. I tried it myself. While I lit the incense, walked to the plate, placed the incense in the ashes, and bowed all the temple workers stared at me. Nothing went wrong! Phew! I wonder if they see many foreigners lighting the incense like locals?

Afterwards, Frances lit her incense, then the pair of us caught a bus home. We both zoned out during the bus ride home. Savoring the feeling that the temple had given us.