Technical Tour
In the tour, we will visit two places, Nuctech (Nuctech Company Limited, http://www.nuctech.com/en/SitePages/HomePage.aspx) and NSCC-Wuxi (National Supercomputing Center in Wuxi, http://www.nsccwx.cn/wxcyw/).
Nuctech, derived from Tsinghua University and founded in 1997, is an advanced security and inspection solution and service supplier in the world. It provides the most advanced technology, superb products and integrated solutions in the security inspection industry in more than 140 countries and areas in the globe.
NSCC-Wuxi, coordinated and cooperated by Jiangsu Province, the city of Wuxi and Tsinghua University, hosts the new generation of Sunway TaihuLight Supercomputer. With a peak performance of over 125 PetaFlops, the center provides world-leading computing capacities for technological innovation and industrial upgrading. It held the top position since it was manufactured in June 2016 on the list of the top 500 supercomputers in the world until June 2018.
Excursion/Cultural Visit
The cost for each person is also about $60~80 (including the transportation and the entrance ticket), depending on the sites to be visited. There are now two options for the site: 1. Lingshan Grand Buddha; 2. Lingshan Town · Nianhua Bay. The both sites are Buddhist theme. The payment will be collected before the visit.
Lingshan Grand Buddha
Brief Introduction about Lingshan Grand Buddha:
Lingshan Grand Buddha(灵山大佛) or Lingshan Buddha, is one of the symbol of Wuxi City located at the northern bank of Taihu Lake(太湖). This holy land - Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area(灵山大佛景区) was got its name after "small Lingshan" by Xuanzang(玄奘) - a famous Chinese Buddhist monk in early Tang Dynasty(唐朝) who made interaction between China and India. Built in 1997, the bronze Shakyamuni Buddha(释迦牟尼佛) at Lingshan stands majestically at 88 meters tall, among which the body of the Buddha is for 79 meters and the lotus flower pedestal is 9 meters. Embraced by three hills and facing with Taihu Lake, this great Buddha is friendly smiling, observing all livings and protecting his people.
Lingshan Grand Buddha's construction was host by Zhao Puchu（赵朴初, 1907-2000）, the former chairman of the Buddhist Association of China. His inspiring idea "Five Great Buddhas in Five Orientation of China" has made great influence on the development of Chinese Buddhism. Now, you can see Wuxi Lingshan Grand Buddha in the east of China, Hong Kong Tian Tan Buddha(天坛大佛) in the south of China, Leshan Giant Buddha(乐山大佛) in the west of China, Yungang Grand Buddha(云冈大佛) in the north of China and Longmen Grand Buddha(龙门大佛) in the center of China. Actually, being the world's tallest bronze Shakyamuni Buddha in the open air, Lingshan Grand Buddha is 17 meters taller than Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan Province.
Type:
National AAAAA Tourist Attraction; Holy Land for Buddhism; Buddha Statues
Address:
Mashan Lingshan Road, Hubin District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province
Famous Attractions:
1. Nine Dragons Bathing Shakyamuni (九龙灌浴)
"Nine Dragon Bathing Shakyamuni" means nine dragons spitting out water to bath Shakyamuni. With the Buddhist music starting, the six pieces of lotus flowers is blooming and the 7.2-meter-tall Golden Buddha is appearing with one hand pointing sky and one hand pointing ground. The nine dragons are spitting out water for about 10 meters high to bath the sacred Buddha. Sometime if weather permits, you can even see the rainbow over the water. Travelers can even taste the holy water outflowing from the mouths of phoenixes standing around the fountain. It is said that the holy water can bring luck and health for you.
Time to Enjoy Nine Dragons Bathing Shakyamuni: 10:00; 11:30; 14:45; 16:45.
Nine Dragons Bathing Shakyamuni
2. Brahma Palace (灵山梵宫)
The Brahma Palace is situated at the foot of Lingshan Hill with magnificent architecture, harmonious layout, tall colonnade, soaring dome and large-scale hall. Lots of art treasures are scattered in Brahma Palace.
The inspiring performance called "Ode to Auspice"(吉祥颂) is held every day in the Altar of Brahma Palace. Time to Enjoy "Ode to Auspice": 10:35; 11:30; 14:00 and 16:00 (Monday to Friday); 10:35; 11:30; 13:00; 14:00; 15:00 and 16:00 (Saturday and Sunday). Travelers should come 20 minutes ahead for checking in.
Brahma Palace
3. Five Mudra Mandala (五印坛城)
Gorgeous golden roof, huge gilding aquaria, striking prayer flags…This is the scene of Five Mudra Mandala with unique and original Tibetan architecture. It occupies 8000 square meters, like a standard football field. And it stands 31.55 meters tall. This is the well-known type of mandala - the mandala of the "Five Buddhas", archetypal Buddha forms embodying various aspects of enlightenment.
Five Mudra Mandala
4. Buddha's Hand Square (佛手广场)
On the left side of Buddha's Hand Square is the largest hand of Buddha in the world and on the right side of the square is a Maitreya Buddha (弥勒佛) with 100 children playing with him on his body.
Largest Buddha Hand in the World: The 11.7-meter-high and 5.5-meter-wide statue of the hand is a 1:1 replica of the right hand of the Lingshan Grand Buddha. This right hand is the "giving Abhaya Mudra"(施无畏印) which means overcome suffering and make all living creatures without fear.
100 Children Playing with Maitreya Buddha: This 8.5-meter-long bronze Maitreya Buddha is always smiling with 100 children playing on his body, some of them making a human pyramid, some doing tug-of-war, some using tree branch poking Buddha's belly, some peeing on the body…
Largest Buddha's Hand in the world
100 Children Playing with Maitreya Buddha
5. Lingshan Grand Buddha (灵山大佛)
Lingshan Grand Buddha
Transportation in Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area:
Travelers can either walk or take sightseeing bus to visit Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area. If you take sightseeing bus, you can stop at Altar of Buddha's Footprints, Nine Dragons Bathing Sakyamuni, Buddha's Hand, Ancient Gingko Square, Brahma Palace, and Five Mudra Mandala, etc. It charges extra 25 Yuan per person.
Recommended Visiting Routine:
Entrance → Altar of Buddha's Footprints → Nine Dragons Bathing Sakyamuni → Buddha's Hand Square → Xiangfu Temple → Ancient Ginkgo Square → Lingshan Grand Buddha → Brahma Palace → Flying Dragon Tower → Five Mudra Mandala → Exit.
Map of Lingshan Grand Buddha Scenic Area
Relevant Links:
Introduction to Lingshan Grand Buddha: https://www.chinadiscovery.com/jiangsu/wuxi/lingshan-grand-buddha.html
Lingshan Town - Nianhua Bay
Brief Introduction about Lingshan Town - Nianhua Bay:
Nianhua Bay is a modern Buddhist resort in Wuxi, taking up an area of about 530,000 square meters. It was firstly open to the public in 2015. Its name "Nianhua"(拈花) means "holding the flower", representing a natural and harmonious mental state. Interestingly, the shape of the whole Lingshan Town – Nianhua Bay scenic area looks like a blooming lotus flower. What is well known of Nianhua Bay is its cultural theme of Zen(禅). Here people can slow down the pace and enjoy a relaxing time.
Type:
National AAAAA Tourist Attraction;
Address:
Mashan Lingshan Road, Hubin District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province
Famous Attractions:
1. Nianhua Lake(拈花湖)
Nianhua Lake
2. Xiangyue Flower Street (香月花街)
Xiangyue Flower Street is the only main street across from the town. Various types of stores can be found along the street, including traditional hand-made products, local foods and different Zen-themed inns.
Xiangyue FLower Street
3. Nianhua Tower (拈花塔)
Nianhua Tower is a wooden pagoda and the mortise and tendon joint structure gives it a very natural appearance.
Nianhua Tower
4. Wudeng Lake (五灯湖)
Wudeng Lake, literally translating to “five lotus lantern lake”, has lotuses in the water. When night falls, a huge lotus lantern show can be seen on the lake, with five petals blooming from the center of the colorful huge lotus.
Wudeng Lake
5. Brahma Flower Sea (梵天花海)
Brahma Flower Sea
6. Zen Music Pavilion (禅乐馆)
Zen Music Pavilion is a unique Zen amusement place with a few houses. Each small house is designed based on Zen meditation, creative space, interactive activities and game experience. When you are in it, you can experience the relaxed, joyful Zen feeling of life and make good wishes.
Zen Music Pavilion
Map of Lingshan Town – Nianhua Bay:
The shape of Nianhua Bay
Map of Lingshan Town - Nianhua Bay
Relevant Links:
1. Linshan Town – a short video about Nianhua Bay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80YwGcii1K8
2. Linshan Town – an introduction: Nianhua Bay: a modern Buddhist resort, Wuxi Lingshan Town - Nianhua Bay Private Day Tour From Shanghai
Reference: Some information and images above are summarized or downloaded from the Internet, and some sources are listed below:
1. https://www.chinadiscovery.com/jiangsu/wuxi/lingshan-grand-buddha.html
2. https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%81%B5%E5%B1%B1%E5%A4%A7%E4%BD%9B/112278?fr=aladdin
3. Nianhua Bay: a modern Buddhist resort
4. Wuxi Lingshan Town - Nianhua Bay Private Day Tour From Shanghai
5. https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%8B%88%E8%8A%B1%E6%B9%BE/17725495?fr=aladdin
