Lingyin Temple - Surrounds

Surrounds

The Wuling Mountains area is a major centre of Chan Buddhism in south-eastern China. A number of smaller temples are also located in the area. Today, Lingyin and the surrounding areas are marketed as the Lingyin-Feilai Feng Scenic Area, with ticketed admission. Visitors enter from a screen wall marked with a four character inscription "the Western Heaven is within reach" (Chinese: 咫尺西天; pinyin: zhíchǐ Xītiān; literally "Western Heaven is between 0.8 to one foot away"). Proceeding down the road from the entrance, the visitor first sees Feilai Feng on the left, then Lingyin Hill on the right. The entire scenic area is dotted with historic buildings and artwork, including pagodas, pavilions, bridges, and statues. The largest stone pagoda is located near the entrance. Called Elder Li's Pagoda (理公塔), it houses the ashes of Hui Li, the Indian monk who founded Lingyin. The area is thickly wooded, with some trees labelled as many centuries old.

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