Well today we had loads planned and did only half of it as what we saw was so beautiful we stayed much longer than we expected at both places!

We travelled by underground train all day, it is so easy and cheap travelling too. We arrived at the wrong station for the first stop though. These station names are so similar but on different lines. Anyway we were not too far from the correct station Whoops!

We found the path to take up the hill to the monastery and prepared ourselves for the many steps up the hill. I did it all, very proud of myself and so pleased I did it.

All the way up either side of the path, there are golden Buddhas. Each one has a different face and different pose.

At the first level we found the beautiful shrines and painted buildings. You are not allowed to take photos of the temples and Buddhas  here which was a shame as they are magnificent. Wild monkeys roam around and jump in the trees.

From this level you walk down many steps to the monastery, we gave this a miss as we wanted to carry on further up.

We then took the steps higher up into the hillside. here we found women buddhas and more temples and shrines. At the very top of this valley was a pool of large koi carp and then the water flows down to another pool containing large fish and turtles. They are “life enabling” pools.

We had vegetarian food at their café and Chinese tea. It was  delicious meal. Now we were all set for the descent!

We got down quicker than we did going up. BUT both of us were suffering, me with my knees and Vince with his ankle which is all swollen up now.

We got back on the tube and headed for Diamond Hill station. Here there is a classical Chinese garden to tour “serenity in the midst of hustle and bustle” is how it is described and it was. The gardens are set out with bonsai trees, Buddhist pines a banyan grove and beautiful boulders. A lotus pond with Zi-Wu bridges  containing huge Koi carp and a tea house and terraces. It is connected to a nunnery. We got lovely photos of this garden, hope you like them.

We have to finish our sight seeing tomorrow. As we fly out Wednesday night we will have Wednesday to visit some places.

We arrive in London on Thursday morning, not Wednesday as we thought!!!