Tourists came in an endless stream to "air out the old year's bad luck"
The day before yesterday was the Lantern Festival, as well as the traditional "airing out the bad luck" ceremony that has been passed down in Gaochun for hundreds of years. With the sun shining brightly and the air fresh on the sacred Mount Youzi, 180,000 people hiked up the mountain for spring outings to "air out the bad luck of the past year". Looking across the mountain, the ground was completely hidden from view—only lush green mountains and bustling crowds of visitors. At the foot of the mountain, there were thousands of food and children’s toy stalls, with vendors extremely busy. A stinky tofu vendor told reporters that he made over 8,000 yuan in a single day.
People crowded together under the sun
"Airing out the old year's bad luck" is a local traditional activity in Gaochun, but due to its positive meaning and auspicious symbolism, it has attracted citizens from many surrounding areas to participate. Not only did residents from Nanjing drive over, but people from Anhui also came to join in the fun. The lingering chill of early spring could not stop the warm sunshine and the wave of enthusiastic crowds. Many people wore only thin sweaters or even shirts, visiting the mountain with their families. The terrain of Mount Youzi is gentle, covered in lush greenery with forests and lakes, and the air is incredibly fresh, truly making one feel the refreshing and relaxing vibe of "airing out the old year's bad luck."
The famous Zhenru Chan Temple on Mount Youzi, which is considered a "branch temple" of Jiuhua Mountain in Anhui, was packed with people praying for blessings, with lines even forming for incense. At the entrance of the temple stands a 21-meter-tall, nearly 1,000-ton golden statue of Amitabha Buddha, said to be the largest stone Buddha in East China. Inside the temple is a "Jade Buddha Hall," which houses three white jade Buddhas, each two meters tall—rare sights in China, gifted by Burmese lay Buddhists. Beside the main hall of the Great Buddha’s Shrine are six dragon pillars, each about six meters high and requiring two people to encircle. Most remarkably, these dragon pillars are carved from whole stones sourced from Mount Lao in Qingdao, with each pillar featuring two giant dragons holding pearls in their mouths.
Nearby, the Slow City offers opportunities for slow cycling
The day before yesterday, many drivers adopted a "loop tour" strategy, driving just 15 minutes to reach Yaxi Town, the “International Slow City.” Here, drivers can stretch their legs by renting a bicycle and pedaling around the International Slow City while enjoying the beautiful scenery. The “Eco Journey” of the Slow City includes 1,840 meters of walking paths, 17 kilometers of cycling lanes, and a leisurely vehicle touring system, allowing people to step away from the fast pace of life and enjoy a true "slow ride" rhythm in this idyllic retreat.
It is reported that the “International Slow City” has recently applied to become a “provincial-level tourist resort.” Currently, the Slow City is planting over 5,000 acres of rapeseed flowers, wheat, February orchids, sunflowers, rice, roses, verbena, and cosmos along ecological roads and the slow traffic system. In addition, more than 2,000 peach, plum, and crape myrtle trees have been planted, as well as over 500 colorful tree species. Future “slow rides” will become even more romantic and dreamlike. Meanwhile, the Slow City is applying to establish the “China Headquarters of the International Slow Cities Alliance” and is striving to host the “Autumn Conference of the International Slow Cities Alliance” here in 2014.