Year of Steps

Before the round-the-lake road was built, the only way to get to Wen Wu Temple was to take a boat to the pier below the temple and climb up a very steep flight of steps.



There are now 366 steps covering the 150-meter distance, symbolizing the 366 days in a year (including an extra day in leap year). At the step that represents the first day of each month, there is now a platform where people can stop and rest. Information related to the 24 solar periods is also carved into the steps, so that visitors can learn something about China's traditional folk culture as they slowly ascend the steps.



There are also wind chimes along the steps, which are used by visitors to ask for blessings. Visitors first go to Wen Wu Temple and buy wind chimes for their specific animal of the Chinese zodiac, and then have the chimes passed through incense smoke by temple workers. Then the visitors write their names and the contents of their wishes, and go to the top of the Year of Steps to ring the chimes, and finally go down the steps and hang the chimes beside those steps that represent their birthdays, symbolizing the completion of their efforts.
http://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw

Comments

  1. CH VoonApril 16, 2010 at 7:31 PM

    all steps have different chinese words?

    ReplyDelete
  2. linaApril 16, 2010 at 8:09 PM

    such an interesting flight of steps.

    ReplyDelete
  3. TekkausApril 16, 2010 at 8:43 PM

    Wow...and there 366 different steps? :D I wonder what other words inscribed on it. :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. uLi.佑莉April 16, 2010 at 9:50 PM

    Oh...got such temple ya...now I know :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. smallkucingApril 16, 2010 at 10:14 PM

    ooo...for good luck ah...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Willie a.k.a ReptozApril 16, 2010 at 10:19 PM

    More than 300 steps? gee..i do not know whether i can make it to the top.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alice LawApril 16, 2010 at 10:24 PM

    So many steps, I think before I can make it to the top I already "fainted" with suffocation! (Which remind me of my visit to Batu Cave):p

    ReplyDelete
  8. DenesaApril 17, 2010 at 12:39 AM

    It takes perseverance to scale that height with so many steps. Wonder how the elderly and weak make it up the steps.

    ReplyDelete
  9. manglishApril 17, 2010 at 7:16 AM

    hahahah ohh alice oredi said...looked like batu cave :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. wennApril 17, 2010 at 9:01 AM

    Those days, people would need to climb the stairs. Now, they just drive up straight to the doorstep of the temple.

    ReplyDelete
  11. SJB aka SUELYN J-B.April 17, 2010 at 10:02 AM

    Interesting..

    ReplyDelete
  12. Betty ManousosApril 17, 2010 at 3:49 PM

    Interesting info, Wenn.
    Love the shots !
    Betty xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. CherylApril 18, 2010 at 6:21 AM

    I so enjoyed learning about this. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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