May 20, 2023
Mandarin Immersion (Part 6)
By Simon J. Lau
I visited Putuo Zongcheng Temple and Puning Temple, which are part of what is collectively known as the Eight Outer Temples. These temples were constructed by the Qing dynasty to unite the region’s many ethnic minorities, offering them to their leaders as a gesture of unity.
In the evening, I hired a guide to show me local hangouts and places for night photography. We explored Shuangluan District, located just outside Chengde’s historic city center, known for its new live theater and vast outdoor shopping area. Later, we visited a trendy bar and restaurant in the city center, where I was drawn to this sidecar.
Finally, you might have noticed the haze in many of these photos. However, this isn’t smog but rather sand. Sandstorms occur when strong winds carry sand from Mongolia into the region. In severe cases, it fills the sky and leads to unhealthy air quality. Unfortunately, this phenomenon happens frequently.
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