Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Two ways to visit Fengdu Ghost City: high-speed rail from Chongqing or a Yangtze River cruise. The cruise stops below the mountain, requiring a climb to the city. (1:23)
- Tip 2Explore the meaning behind the Ghost City gate's inscription. It references a famous Chinese poem and speaks to the inevitability of facing judgment after death. (2:10)
- Tip 3To reach the Ghost City, you can either take a cable car (when in service) or hike up the mountain, which takes about 20 minutes. The lanterns hanging on the trees are beautiful at night. (4:08)
- Tip 4When crossing the Nai He Bridge, take an odd number of steps for good luck. Lovers crossing hand-in-hand with nine steps ensure their marriage in the next life. (5:15)
- Tip 5To pass through the Gate of Hell, avoid touching the threshold and maintain a smile. This superstition is mentioned by a tour guide. (10:53)
- Tip 6At the Yama Temple, stand on one foot facing the temple to stare at the world on the temple board. This symbolizes facing life's challenges. (12:03)
Journey with Honglin Li to Fengdu County, Chongqing, China's 'Ghost City.' Explore ancient Taoist and Buddhist beliefs surrounding death, judgment, and reincarnation. Discover the unique architecture, cultural stories, and stunning Yangtze River views. A captivating blend of history, religion, and personal reflection.
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This video, "Fengdu, Chongqing," follows Honglin Li's exploration of Fengdu County, a city in Chongqing, China, known as the "Ghost City." The video delves into the rich tapestry of Taoist and Buddhist beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife, as depicted in Fengdu's unique architecture and cultural landscape.
Honglin Li begins his journey by describing the city's location along the Yangtze River and the two ways to reach the "Ghost City": by high-speed rail from Chongqing or by cruise. He then enters the city through the original gate, noting inscriptions referencing poems by Su Shi and Li Bai that highlight the inevitability of facing judgment after death.
The video details the historical development of Fengdu's association with the underworld, tracing it back to the Sui Dynasty and the practices of Taoist figures Yin Changsheng and Wang Fangping. The fusion of Taoism and local ghost culture created a unique concept of death and the afterlife, shaping Fengdu's identity as a place where the living confront their mortality.
Honglin Li's journey includes traversing the Nai He Bridge, a structure steeped in symbolism, representing the passage from life to the afterlife. He describes the bridge's significance in both Taoist and Buddhist traditions, including the legend of Aunt Meng and her soul-cleansing soup made from the Lycoris radiata flower. The video explores the beliefs surrounding the number of steps taken across the bridge, linking them to luck and the possibility of future reunions.
The video continues with Honglin Li's exploration of the "Gate of Hell," where statues depict various sins and their punishments. He describes the importance of the "Lu Yin" passport in Taoist beliefs and the superstitions associated with the threshold of the gate. He then describes the journey to the Yama Temple, where he confronts the final test, a symbolic act of facing one's life and actions before judgment.
The video concludes with reflections on the concept of death, ghosts, and reincarnation, touching upon the similarities and differences between Taoist and Buddhist views on the afterlife. The video leaves the viewer with thought-provoking questions about the nature of life, death, and the possibility of reincarnation, leaving a lasting impression of Fengdu's unique cultural significance.