Big Buddha

After 8 months of waiting I was finally able to visit the Grand Buddha at Ling Shan, located about an hour bus ride outside of the city of Wuxi, which is about a 15 min train north of Suzhou. I had heard about the "giant" Buddha shortly after I arrived in China. A student in Zhangjiagang had offered to take me but could never find the time to actually go.

 

So I was quite excited when one of the students, Sunny, here offered to go with me. She was great about it too; making all the arrangements, which was good since I don't speak Chinese and would have a really hard time figuring any of it out. We went this past Sunday (after church of course) and the reported rain never ended up happening so it was a nice day to spend outside, sight seeing. 

One the bus with Sunny

Along with the Buddha there are several traditionally built buildings, The Brahma Palace and art museum, the "Five-Signet" Palace and another building I never got the name of.   

The Brahma Palace and Art Museum

The Brahma Palace and art museum is the largest of the building and has a grand hall, performance theatre, restaurant and art museum. We watched a short performance about the life of Buddha with 180 degrees screen, dancers, and a full size tree coming out of the center of the room depicting Buddha reaching enlightenment. 

                                

                                        Sunny and I outside the Palace

Inside the palace

The booties I had to wear while inside the building

Ceiling decorations

Colorful glass wall

Brahma ceiling, it turned different colors

Me and my Chinese zodiac sign,  I'm a "pig".

Across from the Brahma Palace is the Five Signet palace, surrounded by a koi filled lake. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to go inside of it but from the outside it was still very beautiful. 

Five Signet Palace

I wasn't able to get the name of the white building but we were told it was just a shell and didn't have anything in it. It reminded me more of a middle eastern building than Chinese. 

Besides the Big Buddha there was an actual size replica of the open palm right hand of that is on the big Buddha and a large statue of the fat "Happy Buddha" with children running all over him.  Both are pretty massive and represented different stages in Buddha's evolution. I personally like the "Happy Buddha" the best, but who wouldn't love a giant smiling Buddha.

Me next to the big hand

The symbol in the center represents a "wish" ,
wishing the world happiness and welfare

My hand compared with the Buddha's

"Happy" Buddha

The Grand Buddha is the 8th largest Buddha in the world at 88m tall (about 290 ft) and although it's not ancient is quite impressive.  It sits at the top of a large staircase and is standing surrounded by lotus petals. There is a platform below him and also one that is in the lotus leaves. 

Each hand has the "wish" sign and there is a correctly facing swastika in the center of his chest. The swastika is an ancient symbol that can represent solemnity, virtue, well-being and good luck. 

Us under the Buddha

There were signs saying  that you could pay to "hug" Buddha's leg but since it was so close to closing we were able to sneak up there without anyone noticing. 

My hand compared to his big toe nail

Me standing next to his foot

Despite what people think, I am not living a crazy and adventurous life; it's actually pretty mundane most of the time. But it was great to get out and have another Chinese experience. Makes me appreciate living in this beautiful, history rich country.  

Happy Chinese New Year

2013 marks the year of the Snake. It's been pretty weird to say Happy New Years at the beginning of February but thousands of years of tradition can't be argued with.  Normally New Years is spent with close family, so most people go back to their hometown, which made it a lot less crowded and a good time to go out and see stuff. 

My co-work, Deirdre, and I went and checked out an outdoor lantern exhibit sponsored by the Taiwanese tourism board, that was near my work. Not the most spectacular display I've seen but a fun way to spend the New Years. The day before it snowed very heavily but the night was clear although super cold! 

            

             

           

           

           

       

       

                      

After looking at all the lanterns we went across the lake to check out the weekly fountain show. Once again not the best fountain show I've seen but still a fun experience.  

             

   

At midnight the sky lit up with fireworks all over the city. It looked and sounded like was had just broken out. For a moment I felt was it was like to live in a warring country with bombs going off everywhere. If it wasn't so pretty I could see how it could be scary. Either way it was a good New Years.

              

              

               

圣诞节快乐 (Merry Christmas)

This Christmas isn't the first time I've been away from the holidays but it is the first time I've celebrated in a country that doesn't really celebrate Christmas. According to other foreigners it's only been in the past few years that China has started to celebrate the commercial side of Christmas. The only decorations are at the shopping malls. They also play Christmas carols, mostly in english. What's really interesting is that even though the decorations are commercial the music played is often religious; but since it's in English they don't seem to notice. 

I tried really hard to make this year feel Christmasy. I'm so thankful that I've been able to find the things I need to celebrate it from all the way on the other side of the world.  

The mall near my house has pirate themed Christmas decorations. Not sure how pirates and Santa mix but they gave it a try any ways. My favorite is that on the entrance to the mall there is a big "Merry Christmas" sign that has "Hell" written all over it.  Merry Christmas... go to hell?

Outside another mall, they must have a fairy theme

Day and night views of the tree located at the main subway station. 

Only outside tree I've seen.  

Reindeer on the tree display 

I wrapped some tinsel and lights together to make this mantle decoration. It's right next to a mirror and when you turn all the lights off it reflects back like a fireplace. It's probably my most favorite decoration ever. Think I might keep it up all year. 

PRESENTS!!! Well, have of them I bought and wrapped for myself but it's still fun to have something to open Christmas morning. 

To all my friends and family around the world Merry Christmas!!!