The Adventures of Tai'an

Barbara, Rebecca and I decided to base ourselves in Jinan to look at the sights around Jinan. Simen Pagoda was on our list.

We had been told we needed to catch bus 67. So we made our way down to the long distance bus station. I asked a red sashed lady for assistance, as the red sashed ladies are meant to speak English. With a bit of translation we were told we had to go to the bus station across the road. Off we head.

I do the same an approach a red sashed lady. Well her English is as good as my Chinese, (no I still do not speak fluent Chinese and I think I'm lucky if I know 5 words!) She tried to escape me, But when I am determined there is no escaping me. She finally gave in and called someone else over.

We found out to catch bus 67 that we needed to catch bus 4 one stop. We found this amusing because in Tai'an we are always told to "Catch No 2 Bus to the train station and then catch No 4 Bus".) Anyway we did this. At this Bus stop there was no bus 67. I see a younger Chinese girl and figure she probably knows 'a little English'. That she does. But she can't help me.

Bus 67 comes around the corner. I try to wave it down. No luck. Having seen the bus she tells us that we need to go around the corner.

We head around the corner and find the bus stop. But we are unsure of which way to go. I see a young Chinese boy and ask him. He tells us we are on the wrong side of the road. We thank him and wait on the other side of the road. After waiting for about 15 minutes the Chinese Boy comes over and says that I think I am wrong you need to be back on the other side. We thank him again and walk across the road.

He leaves in his bus. Our bus arrives. I show the Bus Driver were we want to go and he nods in agreeance that we are heading in the right direction. PHEW!! The cost of the bus is Y3 ie 50c for 1.5 hours.

We are on the bus and knowing it takes about 1.5 hours I sit back and relax as it is getting closer to the 1.5 hours I ask the Chinese man sitting next to me and he tells me its 5 stops away. Happy with this information. I start to count the stops. We've come to the fourth stop and I ask him if I get off at the next stop. He tells me that I don't, I have another 4 stops to go. Either I can't count or some stops are not counted as stops????

My navigator says good bye and gets of the bus. I decide I need to ask the driver. He nods at me and points for me to sit. Good sign, he hasn't forgotten about the dumb tourists who can't speak Chinese! We arrive at our stop and he points us in the direction.

Well it was well worth the effort in getting there.

Shentong Monastery holds the Simen Pagoda. It is near the village of Liubu which is 33 KM SE of Jinan. This has some of the oldest Buddhist structures in Shandong.

Liubu in Lincheng of Jinan City is an ancient town. The monastery was first built in the first year of the Early Qin Dynasty (351 AD). As the first Buddhist temple in Shandong it had been the Buddhist center of Shandong since the East Jin Dynasty by the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

The monastery was established by the famous monk Langgong in the early years of the East Jin Dynasty. Therefore it is also called Langgong Temple. In 538 AD Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty Yangjian renamed it Shentong Temple (Magic Power Temple). Shentong Temple went through ups and downs in more than 1600 years. There are many renowned relics left today, such as the Four Gate Pagoda, the Dragon and Tiger Pagoda, Buddhist figures on the Qianfo Cliff, Tang Base, tomb pagodas and carving steles of different dynasties. Among them, the Four-gate Pagoda was announced as the State Key Protected Relics (series 1) by the State Council in 1961. In 1988 the Buddhist Figures on the Qianfo cliff (including the Dragon and Tiger Pagoda, the 9-floor Pagoda) also entered the list of State Key Protected Relics (series 3).

The surrounding hills are old burial grounds for the monks of the monastery.

Standing close to the Shentong Monastery and surrounded by Stupas is Longhu Pagoda. It is the Pagoda of the Dragon and the Tiger. it dates back to the Tang Dynasty. Higher up is Thousand Buddha Cliff with carved grottoes containing Buddhas.

I can't remember the entrance price but it was well worth the $$