Lingyin Temple: Hard Pass Incoming!
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Certainly! Here's the translation:
Wow, Lingyin Temple! To be frank, it might be the most "money-grabbing" temple I've visited so far.
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Overall, the place has quite a strong commercial atmosphere as there are many charges, such as entrance fees and other paid-for attractions that can be a bit overwhelming.
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️ Warning! Warning! The entrance fee is a big hole!
- First of all, to enter Lingyin Temple, you need to purchase a ticket to Feilai Feng scenic area (approximately RMB 45).
- Tip: The "Feilai Feng" actually refers to the entire area where Lingyin Temple is located, which has numerous ancient stone-carved Buddha statues, among other sights.
- And then, you might think it’s over? No way! After buying the ticket for the Feilai Feng scenic area, you still need to pay another 30 RMB for the entrance to Lingyin Temple proper.
- The whole operation just feels like they’re trying to squeeze every penny out of visitors!
- First of all, to enter Lingyin Temple, you need to purchase a ticket to Feilai Feng scenic area (approximately RMB 45).
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The monk’s Buddhist noodle meal costs 20 RMB per bowl, almost costing less than my $2 noodle in Longhua Temple in Shanghai, although it's not as filling.
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The complex itself is quite vast and extremely crowded. Built on a mountain, you'd have to go up one level after another.
- There is a so-called “number one” Guan Yu Hall inside, dedicated to the God of Wealth.
- Tip: In Chinese culture, Guanyu is believed to oversee wealth. Many visit the shrine as a wish to acquire fortune.
- After exhausting myself climbing all those levels, I finally made it to the Guan Yu Hall entrance, only to find there is another 8 yuan fee to enter. I was stunned! Is it really necessary? Just how badly do they need to make money?
- There is a so-called “number one” Guan Yu Hall inside, dedicated to the God of Wealth.
In summary, Lingyin Temple's continuous requests for payment really affects the experience overall.
#AvoidingPitfallsinLingyinTemple #WishingWellinLingyinTemple
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PSA for non-locals visiting Shanghai: you'll have to cover your own train and plane tickets.
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If you're broke, why go looking for trouble by traveling?
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If you're not planning to pray, there's no need to go into Lingyin Temple. The real highlight is Feilai Peak.
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Oh really? Besides a few trash cans, what else is there at the top of Feilai Peak?
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There's a path next to Lingyin Temple that lets you bypass it and climb directly from the mountain base to Lingshun Temple.
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They simply didn't do any research/planning.
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If you think this is bad, try Putuo! You'd be fuming over the speedboat, entrance fee, shuttle bus, and offering tickets.
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She'd probably only be happy at Universal Studios Japan or places like that, then she wouldn't complain...
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Lingyin Temple is managed by the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Commission, while Feilai Peak is under the West Lake Scenic Area Administration. They're two separate entities. So, you'd either have to petition the authorities, convince the head monk to donate the temple, or get the scenic area to hand over Feilai Peak to Lingyin Temple.
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If you don't have money to travel, don't come next time. That way, you'll save on the fare.
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I came as a tourist too. Spent over 1000 RMB one morning for worship. The people in Hangzhou are actually quite nice; they kept saying to spend within your means and that nothing was compulsory.
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Talk about clickbait! Trying to scare people away from Lingyin Temple just for views.
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These 'warnings' are actually great. Otherwise, it's packed with people when we locals go on weekends.
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Okay, I agree that the combined ticket for Feilai Peak and Lingyin Temple can feel like a rip-off, as Feilai Peak itself isn't that spectacular. But complaining about the price of vegetarian noodles or the Caishen Temple (God of Wealth Temple) ticket? That's a bit much. Eight yuan for the Caishen Temple, and you think it's expensive? Then why even go? Just skip it. The portion sizes for vegetarian noodles are pretty standard everywhere; I've had them at Longhua Temple, and it's about the same. Besides, are you really going to a temple for vegetarian noodles expecting a huge meal? It's more about trying the flavor and the experience. And why didn't you mention that Lingyin Temple gives out free bottled water at the summit? I've visited many temples and never encountered one that gives free bottled water to tourists. I was exhausted after climbing to the top, and they gave me a bottle. Honestly, if you want to talk about ticket prices, Jing'an Temple in Shanghai is far worse value than Lingyin Temple.
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'Feilai Peak doesn't really have much to see'? Dude, are you serious?
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Didn't it used to be free to enter the area? I thought you only paid if you were specifically going into Lingyin Temple itself. Why do they charge an entrance fee right at the gate now?
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They only waive the entrance fee for a few days a year, but Feilai Peak always charges. I have an annual pass for 89 yuan, so I go all the time.
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And why shouldn't the Caishen Temple charge separately? It's not even managed by Lingyin Temple, okay?!
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The Caishen Temple ticket is sold separately. You buy it at the temple entrance when you reach the summit.