Leshan 7: Cliff-side Chamber

Many years ago, we visited the Walnut Canyon cliff dwellings in Flagstaff, Arizona.  We loved imagining how it might have been to live there, wondering how ancient parents kept their toddlers safe on high.  The statues in this cliff-side chamber remind me of Walnut Canyon.  I wonder if people in this area ever lived in cliff-caves; or if the artist just creatively chose this safe setting for his piece?

Leshan 6: Weathered Statues

As a high school photography student, my oldest son captured images of weathered statues in London, and mused about the way weathering changed expressions, as if natural forces were re-creating the artwork.  Here in Leshan the same thing has happened.  These statues are clearly in the posture of prayer, but their faces are now expressionless, featureless, somehow peaceful.

Leshan 4: Dragon Teeth and Claw

I love how this dragon’s teeth and claw seem to emerge out of the greenery.

Leshan 3: Family Portrait

A family takes time for a group photo to commemorate their day out at Leshan.

Leshan 1: Adventuress

Our last weekend in China, we visited Leshan with our best adventure buddies.  I snapped and have posted this photo without permission, because I think the subject is beautiful–and, as always, well prepared.  (Note:  she is carrying two umbrellas and a huge bag of treats.)

Reading 5: Reading Between the Lines

This sign was carefully posted beside a path on Le Shan.  I can read every English word, but without the Chinese, I would have no idea what it means.  The Chinese sentence starts politely with “qing,” or “please.”  I see the character for “xia,” which means “below.”  Based on these two characters and the context, my guess would be that the sign is asking us not to throw things down the side of the mountain.  What’s your guess?

Qingcheng Mountain 12: The Dragon and the Joss Sticks

Joss sticks are another implement of worship and prayer.  Here their incense rises alongside a blackened dragon’s head.

Qingcheng Mountain 11: Gold Medal Prayers

Here a monk at the Cloud Mountain Temple etches a prayer on a gold medal.  He works all day doing this for fee-paying worshipers.

Qingcheng Mountain 9: Prayer Locks

These locks have prayers etched on them; most request long-lasting love.

 

Qingcheng Mountain 8: Grotto

Further up the mountain is this grotto.  We unexpectedly discovered it the second time we hiked the mountain in a misty rain.  This gave me goosebumps!  This time, with the place crowded with Chinese tourists, it seemed more like an ancient art gallery.