Cold Mountain Monastery
1859 Bin He Lu, Hu Qiu Qu, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Description:
Located in the northwest of Suzhou, the Cold Mountain Monastery, or Hanshanxi, got its name in honor of the monk Han Shan, one of the adherents of Chan Buddhism. He was a great lover of hot drinks and composed eccentric poems. His works were subsequently translated into several European languages.
The monastery of the Cold Mountains was built in the VI century and during its existence repeatedly suffered from fires. The building, which has survived to the present day, was built at the end of the Qin dynasty. The complex of buildings includes the Mahavir Hall, the Sutra Hall, the stelae corridor, the Bell Tower and the Maple River building.
The Cold Mountain Monastery is one of the most popular places to celebrate the Chinese New Year. This tradition began in 1979, since then, every New Year the bell rings in the temple. Bell ringing reminds of ancient traditions and at the same time is a symbol of the New Year.