Xiantong Temple impressed me greatly to me with its hundreds of years of history. Built in 68 AD, during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220), it is the ancestor temple in Wutai and therefore one of the most important temples in the area, if not the most. During different dynasties, parts have been added to make it one of the largest temples in the region.

I wandered around, taking in the drawings, statues and the feel of the temple while trying to imagine what it would have been like living there as a monk hundreds of years ago. Picturing living in a remote area, surrounded by mountains and focused on your religion. As my mind drifted, I was suddenly brought back to reality when one of the many tourists accidentally banged into me and hit me with his umbrella.

For me, that was the only downside; that the temples of Wutai Mountain are a popular destination for domestic tourists and the crowds can be overwhelming. But then my mind drifted away again, wondering what the monks think of all the tourists visiting "their" temples and "their" sacred mountain.

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