Captivated by the indelible memories of stunning Shanxi

By Aireen Francisco Abariso ( China Daily )

Updated: 2016-10-19

My experience of Shanxi province was so wonderful and profound that scarcely a day has gone by since I left that I haven't relived the experience in my mind.

The amazing beauty of the place captivated my senses and I can still perfectly recall every scenic spot we visited on the trip.

Unsurprisingly, the modern world has resulted in a great many changes, and seeing such a place and the treasures it contains allowed me to reflect on the beauty of the past and hope that the younger generation could one day come and appreciate the magnificent temples and incredible wall paintings.

The approach to the Hanging Temple in the county of Hunyuan, with the massive mountains surrounding the beautiful sanctuary mounted high on the mountain, was simply awe-inspiring and I felt my heart beating faster and faster as we drew near.

It was incredible to watch people climbing ever-upwards to get a close-up view of the temple, and this is something else that will live long in my memory.

As I was climbing, I was enveloped by a feeling of tranquility and felt that I was communing with nature.

Reaching the top was no easy feat, and when I eventually did, I felt as though I was standing on top of the world. I felt a complete sense of freedom and serenity I had rarely, if ever, experienced before. There is no feeling quite like it.

The visit to the temple also made me realize that we should remember and respect the customs and beliefs of those that came before us. I also learned a lot about the religious beliefs and practices of those that lived and worshipped at the temple, such as their intricate hand gestures.

The people that accompanied me on the trip were as amazing as the scenery we encountered, and all of us marveled at how Chinese culture is so steeped in history. It is crucial that this history, in the form of buildings, art works and natural wonders, is protected and preserved for future generations.

It is amazing to me how China is able to combine the past with the present through the protection and presentation of its stunning cultural wonders. Somehow, Shanxi's sense of past, present and future conveyed the fact that, as well as its glorious past, China is also very much a modern marvel.

The Chinese people were wonderful hosts, too, and we were made to feel incredibly welcome wherever we went.

I was also extremely impressed by the art of paper-cutting, which required painstaking precision, passion, creativity and, most of all, patience. Never before had I seen such qualities distilled into one art form and I wish I had the same skill and patience as the practitioners we were lucky enough to witness.

In addition, Shanxi possesses a wonderful variety of food and we were presented with unique dishes wherever we stopped to eat.

The sheer variety of what was on offer made me appreciate how a place's food culture can help one appreciate and understand both the place and its people.

The trip was more than just a travel experience; it provided a lifetime connection to the people, places and culture in an extraordinary province and country. I consider myself fortunate that I had the chance to experience Chinese culture at first hand and meet so many extraordinary people.

The author, from the Philippines, is a professor at Guangxi Normal University and a member of "Shanxi in the eyes of international friends".

(China Daily 10/19/2016 page6)