29 Fengdu Ghost City

The final tour on our Yangtze River cruise was to Fengdu Ghost City.

Fengdu got its name of Ghost City when two imperial officials Yin and Wang came to Ming Mountain to practice Taoism.  Combining their name "Yinwang" it sounds like the word with the meaning "King of Hell".  This sparked the beginning of the site's focus on the "Underworld", which would have been a good name for it if it was a theme park.

Ghosts that are meant to be scary have more of comical look about them

Like all City's we have visited, they all seem to be at the tops of mountains.  So it was another big climb up many steps or for those less inclined there is a cable car that will take you up part of the way.





To reward the walkers there is a path lined with some ghoulish statues which I am sure have a myth or legend behind them.

Much like an amusement park for the dead, rides.... I mean tests have to be passed before passing to the next life.

First they pass the Bridge of Helplessness.  The three arches of the bridge stand side by side, crossing over the middle one you are judged.  The good are allowed to pass while the evil will be pushed into the water below, and like all good rides there is a photo opportunity as you exit.

Like all good rides there are queues

Yay I didn't fall in....

"You can purchase your photo's as you exit the park"

 Test number two, Ghost-Torturing Pass, here you present yourself infront of Yama (King of hell) where you will be judged.

Third test is at the entrance of Tianzi Palace where you have to stand on a rock on one foot for three minutes..  Good people can do ... evil can't and they will be condemned to hell.

 Many of the temples and shrines show sculptures of people being tortured for their sins.

28 ShiBaoZhai Temple

Another Day another temple, but on saying they all have some special feature and I don't think I would not visit one if it was on offer...  Why did I say that?, well most of the Contiki kids decided to sit this one out..  Think they might have had a big night before, but on saying that this trip has been pretty full on for us...  So off we went....  We docked in walking distance to the Temple and of course it was wet...  But what may have put a spring in us girls step was that there markets in-between...

Following our guide we walked through the streets making a mental note of which stalls we wanted to return to.

This was part of a series of Gates that led us to the Pagoda.  This street was lined on either side with shops and stalls.

We had to cross a suspension bridge that did have a bit of a wobble to it as more and more pedestrians walked over.  The 12 storey bright red painted pagoda is built onto the side of the cliff face and looked quite impressive.

Probably should have made the climb to the top with the others, but those stalls were calling our name and that money was burning a hole our pockets.

So we three girls took our obligatory photos that helped ease our conscious and started heading back. Promising our guide we knew which way to go and promising to be back before all on board time we made our way back.

With our best bartering boots on we shopped our way back, buying  kimono's, kites and probably lots of other useless trinkets.  I think we just got caught up in the thrill of the shop  and the challenge of the best price .

27 White Emporer City

Travelling further along the Yangtze while we had our lunch, we were treated to more scenic cruising on our way  to this afternoons tour at the White Emperor City.

More beautiful scenes along the Yangtze

Looks like the remnants of another ancient walk that has not been restored

Weather was not as kind to us this afternoon, so it was another tour in drizzle.

Legend has it that an official saw vapour in the shape of a dragon rise out of one of the wells.. Taking this as a sign from the gods, he declared himself the White Emperor and this to be his city...  Well you can interpret anything to be anything you want, I guess!!

White Emperor City's claim to fame is it's spectacular view of the Kui Gate of Qutang Gorge.  So beautiful it is the scene that you can find on the 10 RMB note.

City sits on a small island and you walk across a covered bridge to get there.

Photo opportunities where ever you look

Memories of Elephanta Island in Mumbai, those who didn't want the long walk up the stairs could be carried up in one of these chairs, but for a price.

 Temples and halls are always filled with beautifully coloured scenes depicting important moments in time.

Love the detail, along with the expressions on their faces

Up close to one of these hanging coffins.  They are usually made out of a single log and some even shaped like a boat.  Obviously like three coins in a fountain, it must be good luck to offer the dead money!

Now here is the picture you had to queue up for ... the 10 RMB note and the scene that it represents

The evening was upon us and you just had to take a picture, so pretty all lit up.

Just near where we docked were a floating stage and seating.  On this stage performances are held.  Whilst here they were rehearsing and setting up the stage.  Once ready it will be floated downstream to where ever the concert will be performed.