George and Ruth took a Saturday trip to Chengde, China with our friends Rici and Dee Johnson. Chengde is about 3 hours north of where we live in Beijing. It was a beautiful day and it was great to get out of the city and spend some time in the mountains. Chengde Resort was a summer retreat for the Qing Emperors. There several Chinese palaces and at least 8 temples nestled among the trees.
Emperor Xaunzong, in court dress.
Ruth being help to dress as an Emperoress.
George donning the clothes of an Emperor
Ruth and George in court dress.
Stealing a kiss when no-one is looking?
These are Buddhist Prayer Wheels. Buddhist believers rotate each wheel clockwise while reciting a specific verse of scripture. This is one way to accumulate merit. There is writing on each column so possibly you don't always need to recite the scripture because the act of rotating the wheel symbolic sends the prayer up to heaven.
A bird on top of a rabbit on top of a monkey on top of an Elephant.
Is this the Chinese version of Bremen Town Musicians?
Rici, George and Ruth at an incense alter.
This band played music every time someone knelt to pray.
Little Buddha statues line the walls of the 2 story temple.
Guanyin bodhisattva of 1,000 arms and 1,000 eyes.
She is a goddess of mercy and compassion.
This lock symbolizes happiness and long life.
They could also symbolize eternal love.
Thousands of locks were locked onto the hand rail
leading up the path to the top of the hill above the temple.
Decorative sculptures of immortals and small animal are on the ridges of the roof tops. They all seem to go in the same order on each building. They are thing like dragons, phoenix, lion, unicorn. There always seems to be an immortal riding on a phoenix leading the parade.
Flying Golden Dragons top this temple.
