BrettG528

2018-02-24 15:40:36

Visited in November, after National Day and Golden Week were well finished. Very quiet at that time, guessing it gets very busy at other times.Catch a bus to get there - it's a local bus which you can catch anywhere along the Fengxue Road. Can't remember the number, but ask at your hotel, they will probably be able to tell you. Hint - have some brochures, etc, of where you want to go, and have a few words written down in Chinese, such as "What bus?" "Can you write this in Chinese for me?" "Where do I go?". Will make your life MUCH easier, and the Chinese will smile. They like it when you make the effort.This is a big complex, with many paths and a lot to see. Take a pocketful of coins, each of the small temples has a monk (?) who stands expectantly with a striker next to a little bell - drop the coins in the prayer box, the bell is rung that many times. Easier to have the coins than look embarrassed about not wanting to put in your pocketful of 100 kwai notes!I carry a pocketful of 1 RMB notes and coins at all times in China - there are beggars, not as many as elsewhere, but they are there. Easier to have the small change to give - and it doesn't hurt your sense of well being to have been generous.Take the time to look, even on the walk to the temple. Don't rush it, there is a lot to see. When I was there there was a lot of work being done on the approaches - "streamlining" the river, I think! May be good, have to see. But access will be easier. Well worth the visit.