Although this was not the first China cultural tour with Grand Master (GM) Eng Chor for many in the group (in fact, this was Zenaida’s 12th tour), each trip has been unique - including this one in early April to China and Taiwan.
First stop was in the Fuijan Region in Xiamen China. Our first hotel had running natural hot spring water in all the bathrooms so we were glad to soak our aching body after a long flight from Melbourne.
We visited several temples: Nanputuo, Lotus, Shaolin and Old Saint. The Nanputuo Temple in Zhangzhou was built during the Tang Dynasty. It was destroyed and rebuilt twice. First in 1368, and then in 1628. We were amused by the large ponds which held many turtles.
The Mahavira (Lotus) temple has a fascinating story on how the land was acquired. It was said that if the mulberry tree on the land there would produce Lotus flowers in three days, the monks could have the land. And so the legend is in three days the mulberry trees were covered with white flowers. In the temple grounds, there is a thousand year old tree that still stands, along with 2 towers - one in the north (which stands for prosperity), and one in the South (stands for longevity).
We also visited the statue of Lao Tze. The founder of Taoism which is on the peak of Quinyuansha. The day before our visit the locals celebrated Lao Tze’s birthday. So it was very colorful with lots of red and yellow banners. As we climbed the path up towards the statue, we could see there would have been lots of celebration. The Statue is very imposing and has a sense of serenity.
We took the ferry over to Gulangyu Island, historically known as Amoy and famous for its architecture and Piano museum. An Island where there is no cars, only electric buggies. And so we all enjoyed the walk around the Island especially through meandering streets with beautiful old buildings. Some of us found a quaint tea shop and tasted some beautiful local tea.
One of the highlights on the trip was a visit to a 700 year old earth building (Tulou in Chinese) in a Hakka Village. a vernacular architecture specific to Jiangxi, Fujian and Guangdong provinces . The Hakka people moved from central China to the south of Fujian. Mainly in Yongding, Nanjing and Hua'an. There are round and square types of the Fujian Hakka Tulou . They were built to provide protection against bandits and wild animals. Back in the ‘70s the round buildings looked like nuclear missile silos from space! Some buildings are still inhabited today housing as many as 5 ‘clans’ (or families). Each family had 2 water wells - one clear (Yin) and one cloudy (Yang).
We left China for Taiwan on Old Souls Day. Unknown to us, we were booked into ‘The Galaxy Resort’ which turned out to be in the Red Light District. The hotel was looking very dubious, dirty and not so inviting - this provided us with hilarious laughter. But I imagine the tour agency here who did the bookings would have been very apologetic over the phone to GM. Luckily GM Eng Chor saved us from a terrible night at the Galaxy Resort by organising another hotel.
Unfortunately our guide could not speak English and so GM Eng Chor became our interpreter, guide commentator and historian while we toured around Taiwan. We heard about the Chinese history from Neolithic age 4000BC, the different dynasties until present day Republic of China 2000 CE. We learnt about Sun Yatsen the father of Republic of China, and Chiang Kai Shek, the first President of Taiwan, including their wives and Ling sisters. We were all very impressed with GM Eng Chor’s knowledge on history.
One of the architectural highlights was Chung Mai Tai Chan Monastery. It is the shape of Buddhist cultivator in Lotus position. We walked up to the 9th floor (no stairs) in counter clockwise whilst observing silence from 2nd floor up looking through small windows into the Buddha shrine. On the 9th floor is a 7 story wooden pergoda built with no nails. We stood at a widow overlooking the park where we were invited to experience a short meditation. The Monastery and the famous 101 Tower in Taiwan share the same architect.
As we continued our travel to Alishan National Forest down to Kending National Park the most southern part of Taiwan, the coastline became rougher. We stopped and had photos taken on the Tropic of Cancer.
We visited the impressive Central Cross Island Highway, Taroka Gauge where we did Tai Chi near a waterfall . The 192 Km highway has a tragic history . It was hacked out by hand by retired servicemen for four years . There were several hundred men who died building the highway. A soldier had said it was more difficult than fighting in the war.
Of Course every morning we were up bright and early to practice Tai Chi with GM. When there was not a lovely park, we practiced in hotel foyers, car parks, even in a Zen Monastery in Taipei, or where ever we could. We did the Zhengmanqing form (Chen Man Ching) with Master Hong and his wife in Taipei. In Xiemen, an old Master allowed us to join him for Yang 40 style.
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and will always treasure the memories. Thank you Grandmaster for being a great guide and historian.
Zenaida Calderon , Instructor Keilor/South Yarra
Noel & Yvonne Schmidt, Instructors Ashburton
