Kumoda

Calligraphy Lotus

Longmen (Dragon’s Gate) Grottoes, in Luoyang, is one of the three most famous places with extensive stone inscriptions in China. The caves house an overwhelming number of Buddhist inscriptions and images, as well as historical materials concerning art, music, religion and architecture.

In total there are 2345 caves and niches, 2800 inscriptions, and over 100,000 Buddhist statues in Longmen Grottoes. Some 30 percent of the caves date back to the Northern Wei Dynasty, nearly 60 percent to the Tang Dynasty, and the rest from other periods.

The Fengxian Temple, built during the Tang Dynasty, is the largest cave at the site. It’s about 41 metres long and 36 metres wide, and its temple contains nine statues of Buddha, each bearing a different expression. The statue of Vairocana Buddha is the most imposing figure in the temple. This statue of Buddha sitting cross-legged on a lotus throne is 17 meters tall, four of that head. The Vairocana Buddha wears a peaceful smile. Vairocana means ‘illuminating all things in the area’. Statues of two disciples, Kasyapa and Ananda, stand to either side of the Vairocana wearing devout expressions. The temple also houses statues of the Bodhisattvas and Devas.

Wanfo Cave is another famous cave, famous because it has 15,000 small statues of Buddha, his Bodhisattvas, and singers and dancers accompanied by various instruments carved into its north and south walls. The cave is divided into two rooms with flat roofs and it and its carvings date back to the Tang Dynasty.

Guyang Cave is one of the oldest caves in the grottoes. Hundreds of statues are carved in three tiers of niches along the northern and southern walls, each engraved with the name of the artist, the date it was carved and the reasons for carving. The style of these statues is reminiscent of the Gandhara style developed in India. The cave also contains examples of 19 of the 20 styles of Wei calligraphy.

Prescription Cave has over 140 prescriptions engraved on its walls, depicting the advancement of medicine through the ages.

Binyang Cave houses 11 big statues of Buddha. The statue of Sakyamuni is the most dignified and serene of these. The slender figure of his Bodhisattva stands close by. The floor of the cave is carved in a lotus pattern, as is the roof.

About the Author:

Lac Tran is part of www.renmenbi.com - We are a market insight company facilitating the world professional community to better understand and prepare for the Chinese market. Language barrier, cultural differences, and lack of transparency create confusion for foreign companies. Our local market analysis, case study series, custom research, and cross-lingual business terminologies service can help you gain the necessary insight and adopt the appropriate business perspective.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Longman Grottoes

Shanghai is a bustling metropolis located on the south bank of the Yangtze River mouth, on the coast of East China Sea. Occupying an area of about 2445 square miles, Shanghai, has the distinction of being the largest metropolis in the country.

This historically important city that was once a place simply consists of rice fields and mud huts and flats. But the city has become one of the most vibrant in the world, boasting modern skyscrapers, chain shops, and world-class international restaurants and cafes.

In other words, Shanghai is a thriving international city with a sophisticated infrastructure and leading establishments in the areas of trade, finance and industry. When it comes to attractions, the city appears as a rich and varied range of points reference, all of which are a mixture of modern and traditional. In fact, now Shanghai stands out as a business center and a tourist spot. Below mentioned in this article are some of the sights not to miss in the city.

Jade Buddha Temple: Built in 1928 on the site of an ancient temple built in 1882, this temple is one of the most revered shrines in Shanghai. The centerpiece of the temple is two jade statues of Buddha, one of which sits on the position and the other at position of lying. The seated Buddha is about 200 cm tall and represents the Buddha in the moment of meditation and enlightenment.

In the case of the reclining Buddha, which is about 95 centimeters long, with the right hand holding the head and left hand is placed in the left leg. This position is sometimes recognized as the rest of luck. These images are believed to have been brought from Burma by a monk, Huigen. Apart from these, the temple has more than 7,000 sutras Dazang. In summary, the temple is truly a wealth of cultural relics.

Longhua Park: Located in the south of the city's Longhua Park is famous for its Longhua Temple and Longhua Pagoda. Built in 242 AD, Longhua Temple is the oldest of its kind in the city with a history of more than 1500 years. Spanning an area of about five acres, this is also the largest temple in the area. One of the specialties of the temple is two meters high copper bell which is placed within a three-story bell tower. Beside the temple is high Longhua Pagoda, with seven stories. In spite of the pagoda has been renovated several times, the architectural style of the Song Dynasty still remains.

Antigua Qibao City: A visit to this spot would be a great experience for those who want to take a look at the history of the region. With a history of more than 1000 years, was Qibao built during the reign of the Song Dynasty. Later, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, became a thriving business center. Among the most Highlights of this space are the Qibao Temple, which is characterized by its great looks, crickets Qibao, who once was a major activity popular among the Chinese, and is now a museum has been created to show live cricket fighting shows.

Qibao Shadow Play, based on historical events in the region, and snacks Qibao, including colors and tasty snacks like dried bean curd served in lotus leaves, roasted sweet potatoes, sugar-coated Haws, smoking toads.

The Museum Shanghai: Located in the heart of the city in People's Square, Shanghai Museum has on display art and artifacts of ancient China, all of which are distributed in eleven galleries and three exhibition halls. Among the exhibits are bronze and ceramics, painting, calligraphy, sculpture, furniture, jade, stamps and coins.

Yuyuan Garden: This famous classic large garden is perhaps the greatest of all attractions in the region. Built in 1577 by Pan Yunduan - An official government of the Ming dynasty - for their elderly parents, Yuyuan Garden is a quiet place, with areas such as Sansui Hall, Dianchun Hall, Wanhua Chamber, Yuhua Hall, Garden interior, and Huijing Hall. Besides these, several pavilions, ponds, rockeries cloisters and can also be seen here.

Above are only some among many of the countless attractions in Shanghai. Points of interest also include the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, which is the third tallest TV and radio tower in the world and the former residence of Sun Yat-Sen - a European-style building where Mr. Sun Yat-Sen and his life Madame Soong Ching Ling lived here from 1918 to 1925.

With these results of the attractions, it is a marvel of Shanghai is visited throughout the year from people around the world. Shanghai boasts a number of accommodation options in a luxury hotel that offers guests choose from a range of options such as standard room, luxury suites and well designed. Each of these options is full of modern comforts and facilities.

About the Author:

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and manages 54 hotels under Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 27,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - A Delightful Vacation to Shanghai

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