136 



TEA DISTRICTS OF CHINA. 



Chap. VIII. 



Buddhists repair at stated seasons to worship and pay 

 their vows. Having reached the foot of the moun- 

 tain, I passed through a spacious porch or gateway, 

 and began the ascent. The hill of Koo-shan is fully 

 3000 feet above the level of the river Min, and the 

 temple is about 2000 feet up, or 1000 feet below the 

 summit. A well-paved path, about six feet in width, 

 has been made the whole way up to the temple. As 

 the traveller ascends by this winding causeway, he 

 gets now and then the most charming view that can 

 be imagined, which well repays him for his toil in the 

 ascent. Now, he looks down amongst rocks and 

 trees into some retired and rugged valley, where the 

 soil is so barren that it will not repay the industry 

 even of the Chinese : — a corner is turned, and he 

 reaches one of those resting-places which are built at 

 regular distances for the accommodation of the weary 

 pilgrim, where a glorious view is spread before him. 

 It is the wide and fertile valley of the Min, inter- 

 sected everywhere by rivers and canals, and teeming 

 with a numerous and industrious population. 



In about an hour I reached the porch of the 

 temple. Some idle-looking priests were lounging 

 about the steps which led up to the first range of 

 buildings. As soon as I was observed, one of them 

 ran off and informed the superior or abbot, who came 

 down and received me with great politeness. I told 

 him I had come to see the temple, of which I had 

 often heard, and requested he would send some one 

 to conduct me over it. An old priest clothed in a 

 yellow gown now presented himself to conduct mc 



