China's Most Heartfelt Scenic Area, 5A-Level Scenic Area - Free of Charge
In recent years, the tourism industry has developed rapidly, and people's living standards have gradually improved, making tourism a normal part of people's lives. Many scenic spots have raised ticket prices to increase profits, and traveling has become a major expense for many people each year. However, some scenic areas are different. Today, we'd like to introduce one of them, which has maintained its price for decades.
This scenic area is located in the Tian Tai Mountain Scenic Area in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province – Gu Qing Temple. The name itself evokes a sense of history. Gu Qing Temple was founded in the 18th year of Emperor Suwen's reign (598 AD), with a total area of 73,000 square meters.
Gu Qing Temple's scenery is very beautiful, with lush greenery and a peaceful atmosphere. Besides this, the ancient temple has always upheld its faith and remained true to its original purpose. Before 2017, the entrance ticket to Gu Qing Temple was only 5 yuan, and the entrance fee was 10 yuan. However, starting in May 2017, it became free to open to visitors, becoming the first 5A-level scenic area in Zhejiang Province to cancel entrance fees in the past five years.
Gu Qing Temple's gates are very understated. As you walk along the stream, your heart naturally becomes relaxed. The spaces in front of the gates are filled with plant pots, and everything is kept clean and tidy, giving you a feeling of carefree and comfortable.
What's even more surprising here is the vegetarian meal, which costs only 2 yuan and is enough to fill you up, and it's also full of flavor and aroma. It was even featured in the documentary series 'China on Your Tongue'. The temple's food is prepared by the monks themselves, and eating here feels like coming home. The monks at the temple are also very friendly.
You can see different landscapes all over Gu Qing Temple. There is also a famous 'Su Mei' plum tree here, which is now over 1,300 years old and is still vibrant and flourishing, making it the oldest existing plum tree recorded in China.
The temple has no fancy decorations. Here, you can experience what it's like to be carefree and quiet, undisturbed by anyone. We welcome you to leave a comment in the comment section if you have anything you want to say to the monks of Gu Qing Temple.
