Showing posts with label Cultural. Show all posts

[PLACE] 20150114 Temple of Dawn - Wat Arun @ Bangkok


Wat Arun, or also known as the Temple of Dawn has a history that stretches way back into the seventeenth century and has undergone various restoration. It is a Buddhist temple which a central prang which measures more than 200 feet along with four smaller satellite prang which was built later in the nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II. It is situated by the river bank of Chao Phraya River and is visible from far due to its height.

In addition to the history, the highlight of Wat Arun would be the architecture and the steep climb to the top platform of the central prang. The central prang has 3 levels in total and encrusted with colourful tiles and porcelain. Well, most of it are broken pieces of porcelain. The main challenge will be climbing up to the platform where many tourist may halt due to fear of height. The stairs are indeed very steep but climbable with the help of railings and ropes.

An entrance fee of 50 Baht is chargeable for foreigners and the temple opens until 5:30pm. Wat Arun is a favourite spot for photography enthusiast with its unique architecture and the landscape. Capturing a picture during the dawn or the sunset with the magical colours of the sky enhances the mysterious feel, whether from near or afar.

There's some rooftop bars and cafe at the opposite side of Wat Arun, at the Tha Tian Pier which gives you a very good vantage point for photoshooting. However, despite the nice weather during the day, the sunset did not give much colours to my photo. Perhaps next time.

Wat Arun, west side of Chao Phraya River, opposite Tha Tian Pier (Pier 8)
Nearest BTS Stations: Nil
Telephone: +66 2891 2978
Opening Hours: 08:00am until 5:30pm

TO GO


There are a few methods to get to Wat Arun and unfortunately there's no direct assess by BTS nor MRT. While taking cab or tuk tuk is the most convenient way, you may still be able to reach Wat Arun if you have to take the BTS. 

Take the Silom Line (Dark Green) and disembark at Saphan Taksin Station. Walk towards Exit 2 towards the Central Pier, you may then purchase the boat ticket from the ticket counter for 40 Baht per pax and then take the Chao Phraya tourist boat. Get off at Pier 8 - Tha Tian Pier. Wat Arun is located at the opposite bank hence you need to take another cross river shuttle for another 3 Baht per pax per trip.

Wat Arun is right after Wat Pho in my itinerary, due to the proximity of both temples. Would recommend to visit both together.

ATTRACTION



I travelled across the Chao Phraya River after visiting Wat Pho with a fee of 3 Baht per pax per trip. Buddhist monks get to transit for free as there are many temples around this area. It is hard to shoot into the sun without blowing out the mid tone and highlights.



However, when you shoot with the sun at your back, the wonderful colours of the bright sky and the temple shines. Wat Arun is one of the prettiest temples around Bangkok even without the vivid colour structures or roof, thanks to its detailed glass and porcelain. The prangs have a base of devils or monkeys statues that supports the upper structure.


The temple is undergoing restoration work during my visit, which cause quite a disappointment for photoshooting due to the scaffoldings. This is the only satellite prang that is not covered by the scaffoldings.


The straight and steep climb at the central prang. The ascend and descend shares the same stairs as other three entrances are closed. I'm not sure whether there is a limit of numbers that are allowed at one time. Proper attire is advised to pay respect to the sacred grounds, and you probably also do not want to wear too short for the climb as well.


The climb will lead you to the first platform or terrace, which is bigger and wider and able to accommodate more people. The adventurous ones will probably continue to climb further to the second terrace or platform, which is steeper and narrower than the first.


You can judge the steepness of the stairs from this picture. Also notice the ascend of each stair is much taller than our usual steps.


From the top, you will be able to have an overview of the surroundings, including the Chao Phraya River, which you also can observe the Wat Pho and Grand Palace from here.


The details of the porcelain and sculptures of the prang that makes Thai architecture so unique, with the trace of Indian and Chinese structures.


The top of the central prang, where the Hindu God, Indra riding on Erawan. Each of the details on the temple has its meanings that relates to Buddhism and Hinduism. It is an interest blend of both teachings.


 The scaffolding put me off to shoot an overview of Wat Arun unfortunately. I tried to wait for the sunset but the colours just fade quickly behind the clouds without much contrast. The image above is already enhanced in Lightroom but is only able to bring out some colours. Maybe next time, Wat Arun.

You may also consider visiting Wat Pho after Wat Arun but be mindful of the closing hours.


SUMMARY


A very unique and historical site of the beauty lies on the detail and the structure of the temple. Advised to come in the morning before the crowd, or before sunset for a nice picture. Dress code is applicable and the steep climb is not for the fainted heart.

Attraction
☆☆☆☆☆
unique, historical, and challenging
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆

Entrance Fee
50 Baht
Opening Hours
08:00am until 5:30pm
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 13.743600, 100.489049
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[PLACE] 20150114 Wat Pho - Sleeping Buddha @ Pranakorn, Bangkok


Wat Pho ("Wat" means temple in Thai) is one of the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok and is well known for its largest Buddha statue, which is the Sleeping Buddha or also known as Reclining Buddha. The giant sleeping Buddha statue is 160 feet long and covered with gold leaves.

Wat Pho is just 10 minutes walk away from the Grand Palace and its often the next destination for tourists to drop by. An entrance fee of 100 Baht is chargeable on foreigners and entitled for a bottle of mineral water. Besides the reclining Buddha, Wat Pho has other halls within its compound with more than 1,000 Buddha statues, big and small.

Another highlight of Wat Pho will be the detailed architectural of its structures and building where very strong presence of Thai culture is observed in the design and carvings. Dress code applies for female tourist and sarongs or scarf are available for those who wears shorts or sleeveless clothes, especially when entering the prayer halls.

Guided tour is available with price ranging from 200 Baht to 400 Baht, depending on size of crowd and season, can be negotiated. The tour guide will be able to brief you on the history and details of the temple if you are interested to engage their service. Traditional Thai massage service is also available here and Wat Pho is the origin of Thai massage as there was a massage school established here in the older days.

Wat Pho, Pranakorn, Bangkok
Nearest BTS Stations: Nil
Telephone: N/A
Opening Hours: 08:00am until 06:30pm

TO GO


There are a few methods to get to Wat Pho and unfortunately there's no direct assess by BTS nor MRT. While taking cab or tuk tuk is the most convenient way, you may still be able to reach Wat Pho if you have to take the BTS.

Take the Silom Line (Dark Green) and disembark at Saphan Taksin Station. Walk towards Exit 2 towards the Central Pier, you may then purchase the boat ticket from the ticket counter for 40 Baht per pax and then take the Chao Phraya tourist boat. Get off at Pier 8 - Tha Tian Pier. Wat Pho is located right at the exit of the pier, towards the right side.


ATTRACTION



The weather was just awesome for the day with clear blue sky, with the help of my CPL filter as well. The picture above is the rear of the hall where the reclining Buddha is located.


Visitors are required to wear proper attire (no shorts or sleeveless shirt) and to remove your footwear and carry along when you are entering the hall. The reclining Buddha statue is so huge and long that you will require a ultra wide angle lens to fit in everything within the narrow space.


The Buddha's feet with 108 auspicious symbols of Buddha. It seems like a normal picture, but you definitely unable to capture the same image with normal cameras as the picture above is taken with an angle as wide as 10mm (16mm equivalent for 35mm format).


Other highlight of Wat Pho will definitely be the amazing structures of the temple roofs.


Some parts of the temple consist of ancient schools for various disciplines including art, culture as well as Thai massage.


The vibrant colours and the unique texture of the roofs is infused deeply with the Thai culture.





There's a huge prayer hall located right at the centre of the temple which offers a place for visitors to either pray or just to sit down and feel the atmosphere and the serenity of the temple.

You can also consider to visit Wat Arun after Wat Pho as it is just at the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River.

SUMMARY


Overall, Wat Pho is worth a visit with the main attraction of the reclining Buddha, as well as other thousands of Buddha images, accompanied by fascinating Thai architecture of the structures and buildings. It is just a short walk away from the Grand Palace and can be an alternative destination if you are planning your itinerary.

Attraction
☆☆☆☆
Main highlight will be the reclining Buddha but other attractions also worth a visit
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆☆

Entrance Fee
100 Baht for foreigner (inclusive of complementary bottle of mineral water)
Free for locals
Opening Hours
08:00am until 6:30pm (Daily)
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 13.746374, 100.491235
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[PLACE] 20141223 Chen Clan Monastery 陈家祠 @ Liwan, Guangzhou


Chen Clan Monastery, or also known as Chen Clan Academy or Chen Ancestral Hall was built by the Chen family way back in Qing Dynasty. The Chen families in Guangdong Province initially built the hall for ancestral worshipping as well as temporary shelter for Chen family member who pass by Guangzhou in the ancient times.

The total of 9 halls, 6 courtyards and 19 buildings were designed and built in between 1888 and 1894. The monastery have a very strong old Chinese architecture presence with stone or wood carvings on the wall, fence and even the roof.

Nowadays, the monastery has been transformed into tourist destination with exhibition of various Chinese cultural displays. The original ancestral hall still remains for worshipping. It is located at the busy city centre of Guangzhou and accessible via Metro and other public transportations.

34, Zhongshan 7th Rd, Liwan, Guangzhou
广东省广州市中山七路恩龙里34号
Nearest Metro Station: Chen Clan Academy, Exit D
Telephone: +65 020-81814371
Opening Hours: 08:30am until 05:30pm

TO GO


 Disclaimer: Google services are barred in China. You need to either bypass the "Great Wall" or use a VPN. Alternatively, you may use their domestic sites such as Baidu Map.

The monastery has a dedicated Metro station with the name "Chen Clan Academy" via Line 1 (Yellow) and Exit D. Alternatively, public buses or the electrical tram are also available via No. 85, 88, 104, 107, 109, 114, 128, 193, 204, 233, 250, 260, 268 and 286.



ATTRACTION



It was a gloomy day after my visit to Liwan Park and Renwei Temple. The huge stone arch is right the side of the road, with the monastery situated right behind it. However, the square was divided by dividers and visitors have to use the entrance located at the right side, with a entrance fee of RMB10 (RM5.70).


Even though the name stated Chen Clan Academy 陈氏书院, the monastery actually has no library or collection of books within.


The monastery is very big and wide and you will definitely need a ultra wide angle to fit everything given the narrow space you have. The main entrance is located right at the centre where the main hall is located, there are also two side entrances located at each side of the main entrance.


The monastery is refurbished and well taken care as I do not see signs of ageing especially the clean walls and courtyards. However, the carvings on the other hand are showing signs of erosion.


Exhibits of way of living in the pasts are displayed in the side exhibition halls with brief explanations.


At another hall, there are ivory carvings and bone carvings for sale with price range from a few thousand to a few hundred thousand RMB. Although I do not promote ivory products, the carvings are indeed very detail and fascinating. 


Traditional clothes and tools of various ethnic groups in China are also available here in the monastery but I don't seem to be able to find the connection between the clothes and this monastery. Perhaps there are also some Chen family within this ethnic groups.


The backyard is well kept with lush greens but nothing fancy.



Various carvings of plants, animals, and human are available even on the roof of corridors.


The middle courtyard is huge with various potteries and plants. Noticed even the corridor railings are carved with patterns.




The middle hall of the whole monastery. Didn't realise that my ultra wide angle misfocused and generated this soft image.


Even the wooden door frames are carved with very detail carvings. I can imagine ancient people are really free to do all these. Carving like these would cost a fortune nowadys.


This picture above might look very normal, but it is only achievable using a ultra wide angle at 10mm because I'm already standing at the edge of the available space.

SUMMARY


The monastery is a very interesting place to visit especially with all the detail stone and wood carvings all around the compound. But it could also mean a very boring destination as you have pretty much nothing else to do besides seeing the architecture and carvings.

Attraction
☆☆☆☆
very fascinating carvings available all over the monastery
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆☆
well kept
Entrance Fee
RMB10
Opening Hours
08:30am - 05:30pm (Daily)
Wifi
N/A
Parking
Yes
Website
N/A

GPS: 23.125983, 113.246663
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[PLACE] 20141218 Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin 嗇色园黄大仙祠 @ Wong Tai Sin


Sik Sik Yuen (嗇色园) or better known as Wong Tai Sin Temple (黄大仙祠) is a well known Taoist temple in Hong Kong that the local believed that "every wish you made will come true".

Often we heard in TVB dramas that the women, especially the elderly will go to the Wong Tai Sin Temple for fortune telling. It makes you wonder, what is so special about this temple that many TVB dramas like to mention it? Is it really that magically that every wish you make sincerely will come true? Well, at least the locals do believe so.

For such popularity, you probably thought that the temple is a very old temple with long history. Well, reality just proved me wrong as the Wong Tai Sin Temple is relatively new and was built in the 20th century. It was completely opened to public only in the 1950's. If you are interested in the history and the story behind the temple, do visit the Wikipedia link.

TO GO

The temple is so famous that it got the whole area named after it, including the MTR station. You just need to take the Kwun Tong Line (Green) and drop off at Wong Tai Sin station. Exit B2 will lead you directly to the entrance of the temple. You won't be wrong when you are approached by hagglers trying to sell you joss sticks and candles.

ATTRACTION



I visited this temple right after my breakfast in the morning. Despite it is a weekday, the temple is flocked with tourists, majority from the mainland China where tours after tours arriving at the entrance. Temple guards are busy trying to maintain the order and doing crowd control but seemed fallen into deaf ears due to the huge number of visitors. To allow a better flow of crowd, the guards disallowed tourist to take pictures after the entrance as it will obstruct traffic severely. However, there will always be a small number of them who are ignorant and selfish.


Joss sticks, candles and all sorts of offerings are available for sale at the side of the temple.


The entrance stone arch clearly written Sik Sik Yuen (嗇色园) and I have to tilt my camera higher to avoid the sea of human heads. Visitors are required to turn left after the entrance where they will be stone staircase leading towards the main altar. There's a square before the main altar after you have climbed up the stairs with 12 black stone statues representing the 12 animal Zodiac.


It is very hard to get a good picture of the main altar entrance without having people in between due to the huge crowd. The tourists will not hesitate to bump you away from your position just to take over your spot. You will have to be firm and fast to have a good snap.


After a short climb from the entrance you will reach the main altar where you will see a wide space for visitors to pray as well as to "shake for your lucky stick" or known as "qiu qian" (求签). Sticks representing different fate will be placed in bamboo containers, or nowadys just in empty containers. After your prayers, you will hold the container and shake gently until one stick falls out. That stick, will represent your fate for the wish that you made. You will need to remember the marking of the stick and then ask the fortune teller to help you "decode" the meaning of the stick. 


However, the main altar is not opened to public and visitors are only allowed to pray in front of the main altar. Besides the main altar, there are a few other temples within the compound and there's also a garden right beside. Do spend some time to explore around the area.




Three Saints Hall (三圣堂) offers prayers to three deities known as Lu DongBin, Guan Yin and Guan Di.


Moon Elder, or known as the Love God is at the side of the main altar and many singles will come here to wish for a good companion.


SUMMARY


Whether you have a wish or don't have a wish, Wong Tai Sin Temple is a must come for at least once to experience the Taoism culture of the Hong Kong locals. The temple is well maintained despite the high number of visitors. While you are here, you may also opt to visit the Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden which I have skipped during my trip due to time constraint.


Attraction
☆☆☆☆
Taoism culture
Cleanliness
 ☆☆☆☆☆
Entrance Fee
Free (non-obligatory donation box available) 
Opening Hours
07:00am until 5:30pm (Daily)
Wifi
N/A 
Parking
Minimal 
Website
http://www.siksikyuen.org.hk/

GPS: 22.342386, 114.194293
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