World-class graffiti in the middle of the desert at Salvation Mountain!

By: Xiao Lühai

Lately, on Instagram, I’ve been seeing a colorful hillside pop up frequently. This hillside is locatedin thedesert ofSouthern California, USA,and is called Salvation Mountain. Even Girls’ Generation’s Jessica once shot an MV here, making the site super popular again. In fact, this massive artwork was hand-built over 27 years by an artist named Leonard Knight, who was in his 80s and almost completely blind. He used materials like adobe bricks and dead tree branches to create it. Sadly, he passed away in 2014. Now, volunteers bring paint to maintain the hill in its original form.

At the top of this small hill is a striking phrase: “God is Love!” Knight, who had deep faith, said, “I meditate on God every day, and I hope to show through my hands that Jesus loves everyone.” But this place isn’t just a sightseeing spot. Inside the caves, there are many artworks and murals made from clay and straw. The most surprising thing? There's even a little village inside the cave, complete with a library. People share food, create art, and gather around a campfire at night to sing and dance, living out the spirit of universal love.

BesidesSalvation Mountain,Knight also built a small house (The Hogan), an unfinished museum, three vintage trucks, a bulldozer, and a boat symbolizing Noah’s Ark.

Moreattractionson the U.S. West Coast:http://www.dcfever.com/travel/sightseeing.php?id=2400