#wutongmountain

[landowatercooler]

#shenzhen #wutongmountain （在 Longgang, Shenzhen, China） https://www.instagram.com/p/CPAJSJ1DI5y/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cheukyum]

extending my hiking territory again .... first hike experience in #shenzhen #wutongmountain #tvtower #crossborderdaytrip #hotpotdinner (at Mount Wutong)

[jiaxusun]

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Happy family's happy holiday! #gopro #climbing #wutongmountain #shenzhen #shortvideo @gopro_thebest（在 Mount Wutong）

[reeandsteeinchina]

Wutong Mountain

Yesterday we went to climb Wutong Mountain with our principal and 2 fellow local teachers who we've become friends with over the past month. Before going to the mountain though, we stopped at Shenzhen Hongfa Temple which was right beside it. The temple is 400 years old and the most famous in all of Shenzhen. Yesterday, in the lunar calendar, the date was September 1st, which they explained was a special day to visit the temple. There were lots of people there, but even more once we came back from climbing the mountain.  The temple was huge with many staircases bringing you higher and higher. Incense were given to each person that came in. We were told that after we lit them, we were supposed to make a wish/prayer, while holding the sticks in a specific way. Afterwards, you put them in a black metal structure that I can only describe with the picture I will be posting later. We respectfully lit our incense, waited for our fellow teachers to make their prayers, and went to stick them in. We continued around the temple as we were told which temple was for which prayer (i.e. if you want to pray for health, or fertility, there are different temples for each of those). When we got to the topmost temple, the Buddha inside was MASSIVE. Reaching around 15ft tall and 10ft wide of solid gold, it was a site. After visiting the temple, we made our way to Wutong. There is "small" Wutong Mountain, and a large one, so we had gone to the smaller one. It was pure stairs. The whole way up. We were later told that there is another way up which does include as many stairs. My calves are hurting today. After climbing up, we got some freezies, rested and made our way down. As we were heading down we heard, "ree! Stephen!" being called from behind us. To our surprise, we turned around to see Ross, a fellow teacher from CITA. After resting and chatting, we made our way down the mountain. Our principal then treated us to lunch, food that comes from the West of China (where she grew up). She said she wants to eventually show us all the food of China. We did not argue or complain. The food was good, but not the best we've had so far while here. It's a great experience though to try so many new things. Pictures to come momentarily. :)