Three gorges mountains

These three mountains are special because they look like figures or shapes of common things.

This one is apparently a women waiting for her husband. There is a small hump right next to what looks like a birds head even though it is not. That hump is a figure of a lady.

This mountain looks like an eagle. The head/beak is at the center of the center facing skyward with the wings at each side.

This mountain is looks like a women laying down. The right side shows the face. The forhead, nose, and chin. The left side is the body.

Taipei 101

One of the Tallest Buildings Ever

Note- Taipei is the capitol of Taiwan, which

 is not a part of China, but we went to 

Taiwan for a little trip after we went to China.

Taipei 101 is one of the tallest buildings ever built. It has 101 floors. You can shop for many things. On the 89th floor, you can look at the other buildings below. You can also buy some souvenirs.

The Elevator

The elavator in Taipei 101 is the fastest elevator ever. it can go 60.6 kilometers an hour. If your going from the first floor to the 89th, it takes 36 seconds. If you want to go up to the first floor to the 77th floor it takes 25 seconds.

The Wind Damper

A wind damper is used to dampen the motion of a skyscraper. If there wasn't a wind damper, then if there were earthquakes everyone would topple onto each other. Below is the huge wind damper in Taipei 101.

Meet Baby Damper

This is how the Damper works

The tallest building in the center of the background is Taipei 101. We were on a Ferris wheel and we could see Taipei 101 in the background. 

This is what the city looks like from Taipei 101.

Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge

This is the first day in Wuhan after we arrived off the ship. The sun was very bright so we couldn't open our eyes or look straight. Walking from one end to the other took atleast ten minutes. On the other side of the bridge was an alley full of food stands. Their were things that America didn't have.

These are the food we ate once we crossed the bridge. There is Shu Mai a kind of dumpling that has sticky rice in it, dry hot noodles, and tofu skin don't worry it is not real skin.

Three Gorges Project

Going through the Three Gorges was a very long process. On the boat we had to wake up at one in the morning if you wanted to see the process.

When we arrived at the door the goal was to go to the other side. We were upstream and the other side was downstream so in order to get to the other side the water would have to go down to the same level as the water on the other side of the door. This operation was done three times. Each time it took about 40 minutes.

When we got to the same level as the water on the other side of the door the door started to open.

Now all we have to is wait for the line to move and we can go. Each time we mve on the door behnd us has to close or else the water would rise. Now we just have to wait and go through this two more times!

Dazu (First day in Chongqing)

First day in Chongqing we arrive at Dazu Rock Carvings, a mountain of stone carvings. there are stone carvings of respected people which you will soon find out.

 

 

 

The big figure on the left is a bodhisattva (an enlightened being). This stone carving is Niche of the Netherworld.

This figure is the Sleeping Buddha. The Buddha is bathing in sunlight enjoying a peaceful place.

 

This stone image is called Nine Dragons Bathing the Prince.

The prince is right under the nine dragons. The nine dragons made streams allowing them to bathe Prince Sakyamuni.

This figure is called the 1000 armed  Avalokiteshvara. He has 1007 arms and each hand has an eye. That is a sign of wisdom. He is considered to be bodhisattva. Avalokiteshvara symbolizes the care and concern for the misfortune and suffering of others. In Chinese, her name is Guan-shi Yin, which means Observing the Sounds of the World. They named her that because she listens to the cries of help from people.  Guan meaning observing, shi meaning the world, and yin meaning all the sounds of the world such as people seeking for help. In Chinese Guan-shi Yin is a lady but in other countries that call him Avalokiteshvara he is a Buddha so he is a guy.

Fengdu Ghost City

The Ghosts of Fengdu Ghost City    

 Heng-Ha Temple

The two ghosts on the sides are the gatekeepers to the ghost world. The ghost with it's mouth open on the left is named Ha. The ghost on the right is named Heng. A way to remember their names is if you say "ha," your mouth is opened, and Ha, has his mouth opened. When you say "heng," your mouth closes, and Heng has his mouth closed.

In Ghost City the stories tell that the ghosts have to go through three tests until they can move on to the next life. If you do not make it you will get punished. There are many ways to get punished. It mostly depends on which test you fail.

There are three bridges. The middle one is the test of Good and Evil. The bridge people are walking on is one of the tests. It is the first test. This bridge is called "The Bridge of Helplessness." There will be demons waiting and to decide your fate. There are certain procedures to walk upon the bridge. If you are a female then you walk your first step with your right foot and you can only walk an odd number of steps. The male have to walk their first step with their left foot on the bridge they also have to walk an odd number of steps. If the demons let you pass, because they know your good, then you will go to the next test. If you are bad then they will throw you into water. The bridge on either side is not for testing but when you walk out Ghost City you will have to go on either side of the testing bridge. The left bridge couldn't fit in the picture but the bridges all look the same. The right bridge which can be seen in the picture is to let you be rich in the future. The left bridge which can not be seen in the picture is to let you be healthy in the future.

This is Hei Wu Zhane he is a jailer. He catches the bad people and takes them to the Underworld.

These three pictures are judges. They judge your fate.

The Second Test

The second test is to put a VERY heavy stone on a hump. If you can do this then you passed the test.

The Third and Final Test

This is the third and final test. The dead must stand on one foot for thirty seconds before they can move on. This test is not based on how talented you are. This test is based on if you are good or evil. While a good person would be able to do it an evil person would fall down and be sentenced to the Underworld. A female has to stand on their left foot and a male has to stand on their right foot.