Our first shore excursion was to Fengdu, the Ghost city. It's a very odd place, believed to be, essentially, hell.
Beautiful pagoda at the top of the hill. The Chinese believed that pagodas helped contain floods, so they lined the hills along the Yangtze with them.
These were some of the devils in the oldest and only genuine temple (the other's were recently constructed for tourism) but this one dates back around a thousand years. 
I thought this dragon wrapped around the pole was pretty amazing- especially considering the time in which it was built.
To the side of the temple was this hall lined with depictions of torture. I guess the idea was to scare people away from sin, by showing what would happen if they acted on their evil impulses. This above picture shows a man geting his eye dug out. But others featured limbs being pulled off, beatings, exumations. . .I found it all too gory for my tastes.
I gave the camera to Tom for the day, feeling a bit of photography burnout. He went for more candid photos. So here you have yours truly, the traveler.
Two doctors in front of the Toaist gods of medicine.
I can't remember who these dudes were, but I liked this one!
Golden Buddhas- I'm assuming past, present, and future with their two main followers. These are new construction, but beautiful all the same.
These shore excursions were like mini-tours. We had a tour guide and had to stick with the group. It was fun to experience the “group tour.” Tom and I both concluded that we preferred the self directed style. With a group, you end up feigning interest in the item being discussed, and then not having time to look explore the things that really interest you. Of course, this isn't always the case, but overall, we felt a group of this size was too limiting.
Enjoying the vista at the top of the hill. There were some 400 steps and several other steep ramps up to this city, so the view was lovely.
This incess burner (I think) was too beautiful to pass up- I had to take a picture!
My photographer!
If you're blonde in Asia, you REALLY stick out. I had several groups of people ask to take pictures with me. These two girls for example, were giddy with the opportunity, skipping off after their brave request. We had people ask on the Great Wall, at one of the four holy lakes in Tibet, and at the Summer Palace in Lhasa. I wasn't sure if I should feel like an oddity, or a movie star!
Oh, and least you missed your pig snout on the way in, there was still some left at the market on the way out!
One response to “Fengdu”
Incredible!