FENGDU - CHINA

Fengdu, The "ghost city' is located on the left bank of the Yangtze on the side of fMingShan mountain. The mountain since ancient times has been the home of Tianzi - King of the Dead. The hills are covered with shrines and temples, now made into a major tourist attraction with the usual shops. The former location of town itself has already been destroyed and the town moved higher on the hills in anticipation of the rise in the river level. There are statues of demons and guardians everywhere.along the streets and in doorways. The temples appear to be well attended with worshipers as well as tourists. From the Tang Dynasty (618-907) AD this is the place of demons and devils. A cable car carries visitors up Ming Shan mountain. But one has to climb many steps and cross a bridge to reach the temples on the other side of the valley. We visited the city on the sixteenth day of the tour.

A cruise ship docked at Fengdu

View from the height above the river showing two cruise ships at Fengdu and some of the ruin of the abandoned part of the town below, where the river will eventually rise.

A ceremonial gate established for the new entrance into Fengdu - but currently the path does not pass through this one.

The street leading into the tourist area - lined as usual with shops.

The street leading into the tourist area - lined as usual with shops.

The street leading into the tourist area - lined as usual with shops.

The street leading into the tourist area - lined as usual with shops.

The gate into the 'ghost city area' entrance fee required. - The great majority of the tourists are Chinese.

Part of the huge wall sign that describes the various parts of the Ghost city - this is the left or northern part.

Part of the huge wall sign that describes the various parts of the Ghost city - this is the right or southern part. One can climb the stairs, but the cable ride is recommended.

A local child offering to sell to tourists.

Once inside the compound the question becomes which side of the complex to tackle first.

Another shop with things tourists might decide to buy.

We decide to explore the northern section first - but this bridge is closed, so we must climb stairs.

The Buddha in central location overlooks all.

The Buddha in central location overlooks all.

The first gate into the northern section of Fengdu

The upper part of the second gate seen through the first gate

Entering the upper part of the town we pass through another street lined with sales shops.

Entering the upper part of the town we pass through another street lined with sales shops.

Tourists looking into a cave full of 'ghosts'

A temple entrance

One of the guardian spirits beside the temple entrance

Further inside a temple

The statue in the temple

Another of the guardians

More sales stands along the inner street

We progress deeper into the 'ghost city'

Now approaching another gate with one more behind it.

Now passing by a platform where evil spirits are waiting.

Ahead looms yet another gate - more sales stalls along both sides of the narrow passageway.

A lion on guard before a gate.

Another guardian beside a gateway

Another guardian beside a gateway

Another temple with crowd of tourists looking in.

Yet another guardian outside another temple

A guardian on the other side of the entrance doorway

And inside the temple three statues.

Another row of more guardian deities - unfortunately behind a protective glass wall that makes for reflections.

Another row of more guardian deities - unfortunately behind a protective glass wall that makes for reflections.

Amid all the tourist bustle, repair work continues.

A look back to the street we have walked so far.

The walk way now is guarded by statues on both sides.

The walk way now is guarded by statues on both sides.

The walk way now is guarded by statues on both sides.

We have traveled deep into the 'ghost' city and now face a long stair case and confronted by yet another guard - another gate is above.

The guardian statue appears even fiercer when close up.

At the top of that long stair case we must pass through another entrance.

The door for another entrance is closed.

Another guard

A look back down the stair case and through the entrance gate

A look along the wall on the upper or inside side next to the entrance passage

Inside the upper level approaching the final temple

View from the upper level into the adjacent hills - the giant statue is just visible.

A final sign in front of the upper temple

The inner most temple

View back from the entrance bridge toward the lower town and river beyond.

View from entrance bridge toward the passage way into the upper city.

View of bridge and entrance way into the southern section of FengDu

A temple in the southern section of the 'ghost city'

A garden and bridge in the southern section

A Buddha statue behind glass.

Buildings in the city complex

Complex of buildings in the southern section of FengDu - on the mountain top

Another demon in the trees.

View from the mountain complex of the river and cruise ships - note the foundations of buildings already destroyed due to the coming rising of the river level.

Detail of roof of one of the buildings.

Detail of roof of a shrine

Garden and shrine

Detail of roof of another building

Detail of roof of another building

Elaborate roof of another building.

Statue of two figures - but what is going on?

More elaborate roof tops

Ruth with a statue of a monster

View across roof top to the giant Buddha face on mountain

More mysterious statues in the forest

Another statue

Another unusual building

Detail of another complex roof.

Entrance to a temple - lions guarding it.

A pagoda on the mountain top

An incense burner in courtyard.

Entrance to temple

Another view of the pagoda

Greeting from two statues

Detail of building with sign.

Incense billowing out of temple entrance

Incense burner

Colorful statues inside temple

Another elaborate roof top

Another elaborate roof top

Another building in the temple complex

The haze over even rural areas in China shows in this photo of the mountains.

Building at the upper end of the aerial connection.

another building

another building

another building

The upper aerial chair lift station.

Going down the mountain.

Passing over some lovely flower gardens.

Riding through the air high above the mountain side.

There is the entrance area far below us.

high above the gardens and walkway

The lower end of the aerial chair lift.