Jing'an Temple, Shanghai.
Jul 30, 2018 19:44:32 #
Today, I leave China for 6 weeks in Europe. Part vacation and part training on a new software that I will be teaching. The training is going to be 4 weeks, and I get to stay in a castle in Tuscany. Tough gig, huh? I am excited about it though. I will be visiting Holland, Scotland and Rome and Tuscany in Italy. Pictures will follow.
I will leave behind me this spectacular place. In fact, one of my very favorite places in all of China. It is called Jing'an Temple and predates the city of Shanghai by some 1000 years. It was built approximately 200 a.d. and is the oldest building in Shanghai. During the Cultural Revolution during the Mao era, this place was turned into a plastics factory and became quite run down. Later governments in China smartly recognized the cultural and historic value of this place (and many, many others) and restored them to their full splendor. As you can see from the people in the lower right portion of the frame, it is a very popular place. This image may also surprise some because in America, many think that there is no religion in China, which is untrue. The Chinese have a clause in their governmental documents that allows freedom of religion. The exception to this is the Catholic religion, which recognizes the Pope as their leader, which the government here disagrees with. The government also wants to choose who will be the Cardinal of China as well, which the church opposes, so they are at odds. In fact, Chinese are forbidden to visit the Vatican, although many do. It is what it is.
This week also marks a Milestone for me. 3 years in China. These two things- this temple and my three years are related because this was the first place I went to while looking around. I had no idea what it was or what I would find, but saw the name "Jing'an Temple" as a stop on Metro Line 2, so got off to explore. I was not disappointed. When I went into the temple that first time, it was at the beginning of October and the Autumn Festival, a large holiday in China that celebrates the crop harvest under the Buddhist religion, had just begun. I was amazed at the incense and chanting and the eventual service that the monks in residence held for the public. An amazing experience to see another culture that is so different from my own so up close and personal. Anyway, a truly magnificent place and if you ever visit Shanghai, is a "must".
I shot this with my Nikon N1AW1 in a series of images and then stitched them together in Photoshop. The temple itself is too large to capture in one frame. I also like the contrast here between the old and new as well. This shot was made from an outdoor restaurant called "The Balcony", which as you can see, has a spectacular view.
Have a great week. Will be off of here for a few days, but will be back later in the week. Here's the photo:
I will leave behind me this spectacular place. In fact, one of my very favorite places in all of China. It is called Jing'an Temple and predates the city of Shanghai by some 1000 years. It was built approximately 200 a.d. and is the oldest building in Shanghai. During the Cultural Revolution during the Mao era, this place was turned into a plastics factory and became quite run down. Later governments in China smartly recognized the cultural and historic value of this place (and many, many others) and restored them to their full splendor. As you can see from the people in the lower right portion of the frame, it is a very popular place. This image may also surprise some because in America, many think that there is no religion in China, which is untrue. The Chinese have a clause in their governmental documents that allows freedom of religion. The exception to this is the Catholic religion, which recognizes the Pope as their leader, which the government here disagrees with. The government also wants to choose who will be the Cardinal of China as well, which the church opposes, so they are at odds. In fact, Chinese are forbidden to visit the Vatican, although many do. It is what it is.
This week also marks a Milestone for me. 3 years in China. These two things- this temple and my three years are related because this was the first place I went to while looking around. I had no idea what it was or what I would find, but saw the name "Jing'an Temple" as a stop on Metro Line 2, so got off to explore. I was not disappointed. When I went into the temple that first time, it was at the beginning of October and the Autumn Festival, a large holiday in China that celebrates the crop harvest under the Buddhist religion, had just begun. I was amazed at the incense and chanting and the eventual service that the monks in residence held for the public. An amazing experience to see another culture that is so different from my own so up close and personal. Anyway, a truly magnificent place and if you ever visit Shanghai, is a "must".
I shot this with my Nikon N1AW1 in a series of images and then stitched them together in Photoshop. The temple itself is too large to capture in one frame. I also like the contrast here between the old and new as well. This shot was made from an outdoor restaurant called "The Balcony", which as you can see, has a spectacular view.
Have a great week. Will be off of here for a few days, but will be back later in the week. Here's the photo:
Jul 30, 2018 21:31:02 #
Lovely picture and excellent information, thanks for sharing
Jul 31, 2018 07:24:15 #
Interesting building; interesting history--looking forward to your European photos.
Jul 31, 2018 12:44:14 #
Thanks for the history Mark. Your trip sounds like it will be a great opportunity. Have fun. Nice image of the temple by the way.
Jul 31, 2018 15:31:16 #
Aug 1, 2018 05:50:05 #
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