fun2rv: IMPERIAL JEWELS OF CHINA

DAY 7 - Shibaozhai

The major focus on our last day on the Yangtze River was a visit to the Shibaozhai temple located not far from Zhongxian. Also referred to as "Precious Stone Stronghold", it was perched high atop a steep, 721-foot-high cliff and this 12-story red pavilion was a gem of Chinese architecture built in the Qing Dynasty in 1650. It was comprised of a yellow glazed entrance gate, a nine-story red pavilion and a crowning three-story temple. The temple once stood alone and was inaccessible except by an uncomfortable chair lift. The pavilion and an interior spiral staircase were added in 1819. From the temple we accessed a large stone terrace that provided breathtaking views of the river below.

When we docked, we were greeted by a group of people washing their laundry in the river right beside our gangplank. Oblivious to us Westerners, they brought their laundry to the water's edge on foot, bicycles and motorbikes. The clothes were washed, rinsed and wrung out in the mighty, filthy, polluted Yangtze River.

Laundry day on the Yangtze River

This small town was a dying town as the young people had long since moved away to find work. The temple is the only thing that is saving the town. The gangplank off the ship was treacherous with floating docks fastened together.

Our walk ashore off the ship

We had about a 2km walk from the ship to the entrance to the temple. The roads along our walk were full of vendors hoping to sell souvenirs. The stalls went on forever and the items sold continually repeated themselves. Most items were cheap and knockoffs.

The beginning of our 2 km walk to the pagoda, the vendors started here

Shops along the walk

Lost a bit in the translation!

As we approached the temple island, there was a long suspension bridge to walk across. Each end was well anchored, but the majority of the bridge was moving around quite a bit and the footing was unstable. Even Eric was a bit apprehensive, but it had been there a long time and apparently was considered safe.

Approach to the suspension bridge

View of the suspension bridge from the top of the pagoda

The pagoda was reached by a lovely stone walkway along the side of the island. Once we reached the entrance to the pagoda, it was a one-way trip .... no turning back.

The wooden stairs inside were a real challenge as each step was a different width and height. There were nine flights of stairs and the higher we went, the narrower and steeper they became. Some of the older folk were finding it very difficult.

At the top was the temple and of course more gift shops. The view from the top was lovely and the walk down was easy.

It was a very interesting morning but it was very hot and humid. We were all glad to get back on the ship and have a shower. During the afternoon we were able to do a tour of the bridge. The ship's captain had sailed the Yangtze River for his whole career almost 40 years and did not speak a word of English.

The "bridge"

Our time on the Yangtze River was drawing to a close. It was such a unique experience and we were so pleased to be able to experience the "heart" of China.