Wind Hole (Fengxue) Temple and Its Pagodas

The Fengxue Temple and the Dagoba Forest are located on Fengxue Mountain at the southern foot of Shaonan Mountain of the Zhongyue Song Mountain, nine kilometers northeast of Linru County, Henan Province. Together with Wind Hole Mountain, Yuhuang Mountain, Shilou Peak, the Big and Small Wind Holes, and the surrounding natural views, Wind Hole Temple belongs to the Wind Hole Mountain Scenic Area which covers an area of 18.5 square miles.

It is one of the oldest temples in China and the construction of which began in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386534). In the mountains east of it, there are two big and two small wind holes. When the weather changes, a sudden gust will blow through the holes. This phenomenon gives the temple its name, Wind Hole Temple. But its first name was "Xiangji Temple". In the Sui Dynasty (581 - 618), it was called "Qianfeng Temple" and renamed "Baiyun Temple" in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907).

The Fengxue Temple was originally known as Xiangji Temple. Southeast of the temple is a huge stone cave on the cliffs that produces thunderous roars when wind blows through it -- hence its name, Fengxue Cave (Wind Cave). The temple, therefore, was named after the cave, Fengxue Temple, by the locals. A forest of dagobas stretches across an area near the temple with over 100 monk dagobas from the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. It is the second largest dagoba forest after the Shaolin Temple of Henan Province.

The temple faces south-west. Although a northern temple, it is different from the typical northern temples which lie on a certain axis, and was built by conforming to the contours of the land. Endowed with a long history, the temple houses over 100 different architectural styles and was built in successive dynasties ranging from Jin, Yuan, to Ming and Qing Dynasties, so it is thought of as "the Museum of Ancient Architecture". Among the vast amounts of ancient architecture the Qizu Pagoda, the Bell Tower, and the Buddha Hall are considered to be the three national treasures in the temple.

Built in 738, Qizu Pagoda is one of the six Tang pagodas that are still well preserved today. It measures 79.3 feet high and has nine layers. The tower is parabola shaped. It was built to commemorate the famous monk Zhen who made great contribution to the temple. The Bell Tower was built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), where a precious big iron bell hangs that weighs 11,023 pounds. The Buddha Hall is built on a brick platform measuring 49.2 feet high. Decorated with upturned eaves, the hall looks like an eagle spreading its wings about to take flight. As well as these three treasures, other attached buildings such as the Kwan-yin Pavilion, the Lianyi Pavilion, and the Jiesheng Bridge are equally decorated and are very elegant in appearance.

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Shiren Mountain Scenic Area

Located in the west of Lushan County, Shiren Mountain Scenic Area is, and covers an area of about 268 square kilometers (66,224 acres). The site is famed for its curiously-shaped peaks, tall waterfalls, rich forests, hot natural springs and a long granite glide-slop. The majestic Shiren Mountain lies in the eastern section of the Funiu Mountain range, with its highest peak measuring 2,153 meters (7,064 feet) tall.

Conditions on the Shiren Mountain vary greatly from season to season. In the spring, the birds sing, flowers blossom and the mountain is covered in rich greenery. In the summer, white clouds and mist engulf the hilltops, the trees are in full bloom and the weather is cool and pleasant. In autumn, the color of the trees and plants turns to golden brown. In the winter, Shiren Mountain is, like much of North China, covered in snow, giving the mountain an enchanted look and feel.

Springs, streams, waterfalls and deep pools are found throughout the scenic area. The flow of the water from springs has gradually worn away the rock to form streams, winding over their rocky beds, filling the surrounding area with relaxing, tranquil sounds. In its continuing journey over mountain ledges and through deep valleys, the motion of water has slowly given rise to the formation of waterfalls of different shapes and sizes. The most famous one is the Jiuqu Waterfall, which weaves its way round nine of the mountain bends. Another noted waterfall, the Yinxian Waterfall is so narrow that runs like a silver thread over the contours of the rock.

Beneath the waterfalls, hiding in the steep gullies and forests at the mountain foot are a number of hot water springs. Altogether there are five groups of springs, each rich in terms of both with the quality and quantity of its water. The water is said to be good for people's health and can supposedly be used to treat a variety of diseases.

On the other hand, the Shiren Mountain is rich in natural resources, playing home to some 1, 211 kinds of plants and a number of rare animals. The forest's wood is heavily populated by metasequoia trees and lichen, marking the remains of a glacier, which has cited by biologists as a prime example of living fossils.All kinds of pines stand firmly on the mountain's steep cliffs and perilous peaks. In April, different colored azaleas reach full bloom and spread across the mountain to form an ocean of beautiful flowers.

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