Donnerstag, 1. Mai 2008

1st May holdiay excursion




In China on the 1st and 2nd of May we don't have to work because of national holiday. To be honest, nobody I asked knew why these two days are off apart from the fact that of course the 1st of May is workers' day.

We seized the opportunity to visit Hongluo si (Red conch temple) which used to be the centre of Northern Chinese buddhism. Now it is a wide area featuring some temples, gardens, a mountain, a 500 Arhat forest and an alpine slide (German: Sommerrodelbahn). Especially the last two sights were great. The 500 Arhat forest were five hundred statues of Buddha disciples standing in the forest wearing red capes. The alpine slide was not to be used individually, but in groups of five and a professional "alpine slider" (I don't know the official name of this profession :-)) sitting in the first "wagon" was the only one who could step on the brakes. It was just crazy how quickly our professional "alpine slider" drove us down the hill. What a fun!

Well, the transport there (over 2 hours standing in the bus because at 7am!!! already no seat was available) was less fun and the "3 star toilets" couldn't convince us neither. Yes, there is a star rating system for Chinese toilets, not only for hotels. (check http://www.thebeijingguide.com/toilets/chinese_toilets.html for some information on this system and on Chinese toilets in general if you're interested).

To have an impression of our excursion I attach some photos.

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