Hiking photos - Silver Pagodas hike, 2011/11/30

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The hike from Haizi village to the Silver Pagodas is a medium level walk, which means it’s suitable for most people.

We started in a village with a 300-year-old opera stage and a temple called ‘Nine Fairies’, originally built in the Liao Dynasty (907-1125).

From there we walked up to a shrine in the hills. It was first built in the same period as the temple in the village, and is accompanied by an old pine tree. It’s said the shrine was renovated by a quarrying company, hoping to restore the feng shui damaged by all the excavation.

We continued west to Wangbaochuan village, also known as Longevity Village. We walked through the village, taking the turnoff that leads to the Silver Pagodas peak, which is over 726 meters above sea level.

From the peak we saw a spectacular view of villages, mountains, and a distant spur of the Huanghuacheng Great Wall.

First built three-hundred years ago, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

First built three-hundred years ago, this stage was renovated in 2004, and is still used by traveling troupes of performers during Chinese New Year.

the Nine Fairies Temple, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

Opposite the stage is the Nine Fairies Temple.

narrow lanes of the village, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

We continued through narrow lanes of the village.

nice views, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

We had nice views of the surrounding hills.

the shrine and the pine, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

This photo shows the shrine and the pine.

Inside the shrine, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

Inside the shrine are colourful paintings of Chinese deities.

Longevity Village, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

We had glimpses of the inside of countryside courtyard residences as we walked through Longevity Village.

the yard, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

During warmer times the yard in front of this house is used as a garden. The last crop in here was probably a whole lot of cabbage!

large rocks, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

We passed large rocks on the way up to the peak of the Silver Pagodas mountain.

a platform with a giant bell, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

From the top there are amazing views on a clear day. Here, a platform with a giant bell.

rocky crags, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

The trail down from the top leads past rocky crags.

the Silver Pagodas from up high, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

We could see the Silver Pagodas from up high.

A broad view of the countryside, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

A broad view of the countryside, with the pagodas in the foreground.

view of the pagodas, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

A good view of the pagodas.

fine detail, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

The pagodas have a lot of fine detail.

the Silver Pagodas and the large cauldrons, Beijing Hikers Gubeikou GreatWall Loop Midweek, November02, 2011

Another view of the Silver Pagodas and the large cauldrons for burning incense.