Pingdingshan | The ancestral home of Guanyin, Xiangshan Temple.

This trip took me to Xiangshan Temple, which was first built during the Guanghe period of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is the earliest Guanyin Bodhisattva dojo in China, and its Song Dynasty pagoda and steles are the most famous. It is now a national key cultural relic protection unit and a national 4A scenic spot. The temple was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution, leaving only the Guanyin Pagoda and more than ten ancient steles. The ancient buildings seen today were all later restorations. The existing pagoda was built during the Northern Song Dynasty. The tower body has 304 statues of Guanyin, and the tower is 33 meters high, symbolizing the 33 dharma images of Guanyin. The Song Dynasty inscription outside the tower, "The Biography of the Great Compassionate Bodhisattva," was written by Cai Jing. The temple is built on a mountain. Walking along the central axis to the top of the mountain, you can see the pagoda. Many elderly people circle the pagoda, prostrating themselves with every step. Pingdingshan has been experiencing smog these past few days, so the view from the top of the mountain is average. There are many snack stalls and incense sellers at the entrance to the scenic spot, as well as some fortune tellers and beggars. It's best to avoid them. The temple entrance fee is 5 yuan, and you can burn incense. The tour takes about 1–2 hours. The essence of the temple is at the top of the mountain. Take bus No. 16 from the city directly to the entrance.