Tuesday, October 01, 1985

Wuhan,Guiyuan Temple,30.547636,114.253231,17,S


30.547284,114.253285,Statue of Guanyin (观音), Buddhist Goddess of Mercy

Built in the 17th century, Guiyuan Temple (归元寺) is most famous for its hall of 500 Arhats (阿罗汉). Visitors often get their fortunes read by picking any statue as a starting place, and then moving down one statue for each year in their age. They will remember the number of the statue they end up on, and can later purchase a card with some cryptic verses on it (in Chinese). A fortune-teller will then offer to interpret these verses for you.

On Guanyin's birthday (day 19 of the second moon), there is a large celebration here.