[Introduction] – [Green Guifeng] – [Temple Yutai] – [Jade Lake in Forest] – [Xinhui Photos Exhibition Hall: Former Site of Xinhui Labor University] – [Chinese Fan Palm Exposition Garden] – [Sports Park]
[Introduction]
Good morning, dear friends! Today we are going to visit Guifeng Mountain Scenic Area. It is famous for its great natural scenery and places of interest.
Now I will give you a rough idea of its size and geographic advantage. This scenic area occupies an area of about 55.1 square kilometers. It is located in the north of Xinhui town, in the south-western part of Guangdong Province. It is about one to three hours’ drive from Guangzhou, Hong Kong or Macau. People from or via these three cities have easy access to this place for their holidays.
Your destination today has gained titles of different kinds. In 1989, it was listed as Guangdong Province scenic area; in December 1997, it was recognized as National Forest Park by National Forestry Ministry; and in 2002, it was honored as “4A National Level Sightseeing Area”.
Today I will guide you through six highlights that attract travelers and tourists home and abroad. They are Green Guifeng, Temple Yutai, Jade Lake surrounded by green trees, Xinhui Photos Exhibition Hall in Memory of the Inspection of Premier Zhou Enlai (Former Site of Xinhui Labor University), Chinese Fan Palm Exposition Garden, and Sports Park.
[Green Guifeng]
When you are enjoying the green mountain, I would like to tell you bit of its history. Mountain Guifeng is noted for its countless vertical peaks, and it was named after its looks and shapes. This mountain has three peaks: Mount Guifeng, Mount Yunfeng and Mount Chishi. Mount Yunfeng, as its main peak, is 546 meters high
above sea level. The legendary Chishi Peak stretches from west to east.
Among these three peaks is an open clearing. It is a paradise on earth, a natural green screen. This green clearing shapes into a small plain on the top of Mountain Guifeng. Such a view is rare in Lingnan area.
Besides the plain abovementioned, four lakes are embedded in the mountain. They are called Jade Lake, Azure Green Lake, Dragon-like Lake and Swan Lake.
As one of the top ten famous mountains in Guangdong, Mountain Guifeng has always been an attraction to famous people since the ancient times. Say, in Tang Dynasty is Buddhist monk Yixing; in Song Dynasty is poet Su Dongpo; in Ming Dynasty three people are mentioned, they are neo-confucius Master Chen Baisha, artist Shen Shitian, and Minister of War Huang Gongfu. A historian Chen Yuan has been here, too. He is the very person that Chairman Mao Zedong speaks highly of.
[Temple Yutai]
Now Temple Yutai is in front of us. I will give you a brief introduction about its origin and its architectural styles, OK?
Yutai Temple was first built in Tang Dynasty. During the years between 705 and 707 when Emperor Zhong Zong was on the throne, famous Chinese astronomer Monk Yixing settled down here and gave lectures on Buddhism. The number of his disciples reached more than 500. Since then, Temple Yutai has become the biggest Buddhist sacred place in Wuyi, Jiangmen city.
Unfortunately, the temple has been ruined and renovated for many times. The most serious destruction happened in 1939. During the period of Anti-Japanese War, the Japanese army seized Xinhui city, destroyed the temple and forced the local people to move its bricks and stones up to the hill to build their footholds. What’s more, trees around the temple were cut off. This area was assigned to Military Exclusive Zone.
In 1985, Xinhui local government called on Chinese compatriots home and abroad to donate money to erect Temple Yutai again. The one jumping into our eyes was rebuilt during the years from 1986 to 1996.
So you have some ideas about its ups and downs in time order. Now I will draw your attention to its architectural styles.
Temple Yutai was built in strict accordance with Buddhist architectural model and temple’s architectural style in Tang Dynasty.
There are three rows in Temple Yutai. Now we are entering the first row Heavenly King’s Palace. In the middle sits the smiling Maitreya. Besides him are four immortals. They have sword, pipa, umbrella and dragon in their hands. What they hold implicates that winds and rains come and stop all year round at the right timing in order to meet the needs of the local people. In the back of Heavenly King’s Palace sits Weituo Bodhisattva. He is in charge of the security of the temple and its followers.
Over there on the two sides of Heavenly King’s Palace are Dizang (Ksitigarbha) Pavilion and Qielan (Samgharam) Palace.
The second row is Mahavira Palace. It is used to worship the founder of Buddhism, Sakyamuni. He is locally known as “Buddha”. Standing next to him on both sides are his disciples. The elder one is Jia Ye (Kasyapa), and the younger is A Nan (Ananda). In both side of the palace are “Eighteen Arhats”.
The third row is Guanyin Hall. It is served to worship Thousand Hands Guanyin who is dedicated to serve the local people and solve their problems. In front of the hall stands a white jade pagoda. The original one was built in 1683 when Emperor Kangxi in Qing Dynasty was on the throne. But it was destroyed in 1939 by Japanese army. It was rebuilt in 1956 by using the collected lost-and-found stones and fragments and other materials.
Temple Yutai is now classified as a Cultural Relic under the Municipal-level protection.
[Jade Lake in Forest]
Here we come to Jade Lake. It is a man-made lake with an area of 88 mu. Walking around or boating in the lake is recommended. Your leisure time here helps to build up a lyrical and poetic atmosphere if you are in the mood.
The arch bridge in the middle of the lake leads us to Peach Blossom Islet. We will be carried away by its attractive scene if we choose to be here when the peach trees are in full bloom.
Two restaurants are on this islet. The one in the north is called “Garden in Jade Lake”. The other in the east is called “Happy-enriched Place”. They are nice places for meeting friends over nice tea and delicious local special food. In the west of Peach Blossom Islet is an all-inclusive hotel. It is an ideal place for chit-chatting or business meetings. What is it called? Yes, Jade Lake Hotel.
Jade Lake is even more romantic and fascinating in the late evenings under the neon lights alongside the lake.
[Xinhui Photos Exhibition Hall: Former Site of Xinhui Labor University]
What we are going to see are mainly precious photos taken when Premier Zhou Enlai inspected Xinhui.
From July 1st to 7th in 1958, Premier Zhou himself came to Xinhui. During his inspection for one week, he wrote seven pieces of inscriptions and superscriptions, including the one with six Chinese characters “Xinhui Laodong Daxue” (新会劳动大学). In English it is “Xinhui Labor University”. The inscription we saw on the entrance to this building is a duplicate. It tells us this building is the former site of the university.
These valuable photos of Premier Zhou recorded and replayed his short stay in Xinhui in 1958. They are displayed in seven themes. First, Premier Zhou gave working reports; second, he inspected Labor University; third, he looked over Daze Wuhe Village; fourth, he inspected Zhou County Agricultural Community in Tangxia; fifth, he visited historical relics in Yamen; sixth, he inspected local Chinese fan palm craftwork factory and agricultural machinery factory; seventh, he examined two exhibitions on wastes recycle, and grain supply.
From these photos we learn that Premier Zhou identifies himself as an ordinary person. He had face-to-face talks with more than 150 people. These people are workers, peasants, teachers and students, returned overseas Chinese. Moreover, he
saw more than 10,000 ordinary people. During his visit, he exchanged ideas with many of them.
This museum also displays the photos and calligraphic works of other state leaders. These people include Zhu De, Dong Biwu, Deng Xiaoping, Ye Jianying and He Long.
[Chinese Fan Palm Exposition Garden]
Here we come to Chinese Fan Palm Exposition Garden. It is the only garden of this theme in the world. This exposition garden treasures up age-old documents and delicate craftworks made of a plant called Chinese fan palm. You can see the skills of the local craftsmen and their understanding of arts from their fans painted with a special pen, their basketworks and embroideries.
What jump into our eyes are various kinds of palm plants. They witness partly their craftworks with the history of over 1,600 years. In the year of 1915, a painted bamboo sheath fan won the honor of Gold Medal in Panama World Exposition.
If we are interested in how these craftworks are made, please cast a look at these sculptures and pictures. They show whole processing techniques from collecting raw materials to final products.
As we can see, this room sells admirable craftworks. The offer a lot of choices. Painted bamboo sheath fans, fans painted with a special hot pen, two-side embroidered fans are among them. Besides fans, they also sell baskets, lanterns, raincoats in traditional style, made of Chinese fan palm. Will you buy one, or two, or many?
[Sports Park]
Sports Park here has an area of more than 1,000 mu with recreational facilities of various kinds. They provide courts for grass sliding, skating, physical training, Kart racing, playing badminton, tennis or football. Boating in the Lake, swimming in the pool and Korean Barbecue can also available.
In the west of Sports Park is Longquan Holiday Resorts. It has a natural sand
beach with an area of more than 80,000 square meters. A good choice for holidays, isn’t it?
So much for my introduction. Please feel free to ask if you want me to tell you more.
新会圭峰山风景区
【概况】——【圭峰叠翠】——【玉台寺】——【翠拥玉湖】——【纪念周恩来总理视察新会图片展览馆（新会劳动大学旧址）】——【葵树博览园】——【体育运动公园】
【概况】
圭峰山风景区，坐落新会城北，位于广东省西南，离广州和港澳地区1-3小时车程。1989年被评为广东省风景名胜区，1997年12月，经国家林业部审核批准成为国家森林公园，2002年，被评为国家4A级旅游景区。占地面积55.1平方公里。
圭峰山风景区有六大旅游亮点：圭峰叠翠、玉台寺、纪念周恩来总理视察新会图片展览馆、葵树博览园、翠拥玉湖和体育运动公园。
【圭峰叠翠】
圭峰山由圭峰、云峰、叱石三大山峰连成，奇峰崛起，形似“圭壁”，故称圭峰山。三峰是指挺秀的圭峰，主峰云峰，海拔546米，传奇的叱石峰，整个山势蜿蜒起伏，东西走向，连绵起伏数十里。一屏是指三峰交汇中涌现的世外桃源般的绿护屏，这是岭南少见的山顶小平原。四秀水是指玉湖、碧绿湖、玉龙湖和天鹅湖。圭峰山作为广东十大名山之一，自古就是名儒硕彦的讲学之地和高僧羽客的修道之所。唐朝的一行高僧、宋朝的东坡学士、明代理学大师陈白沙，画家沈石田、兵部尚书黄公辅经及被毛泽东称为“国宝”的史学家陈垣等都曾涉足圭峰山。
【玉台寺】
玉台寺建于唐朝，唐中宗神龙年间（公元705-707年），我国著名天文学家一行和尚曾在寺内开堂说法，弟子多达500多人，从此玉台寺便成为江门五邑最大的佛教圣地。
玉台寺曾经多次修建，多次被毁。最为严重的一次是在1939年抗日战争期
间，日寇占领新会城，拆毁了玉台寺，并强迫老百姓把砖石搬上山修筑碉堡。玉台寺周围树木也被全部砍光，划为军事禁区。1985年，新会县政府呼吁海内外侨胞捐款重建玉台寺，现在的玉台寺是在1986年至1996年重建的。
玉台寺严格按照佛教的建筑样式和唐朝的寺院建筑风格而建，共分三进，第一进是天王殿。大殿正中供奉的是笑口常开的弥勒佛，四大天王各持剑、琵琶、伞和龙，寓意风调雨顺。在天王殿背后的韦陀菩萨是负责保护寺院和修行者的安全。天王殿往上两侧分别是地藏阁和伽蓝殿。
玉台寺的第二进是大雄宝殿，供奉的是佛教的创始人释迦牟尼，民间称为“如来佛”。如来佛两旁站立者是他的弟子，年长的就是伽叶，年幼的是阿难。大殿两侧是“十八罗汉”。
玉台寺的第三进是观音堂。观音堂前立有一汉白玉石塔，建于清康熙二十二年（1683年），1939年被日寇所毁，1956年收集石塔碎片重建，定为市级重点文物保护单位。观音堂内供奉的是为民解百难的千手观音。
【翠拥玉湖】
现在我们来到的是玉湖景区。玉湖是一个人工湖，面积88亩。这里风景很美可在湖边漫步，可划艇畅游或赏花品茗极富诗情画意。
穿过湖中拱桥，抵一小岛名桃花岛。岛上种满了桃花，桃花盛开时面对着这湖光山色，十分令人陶醉。
桃花岛的北面，有“玉湖小苑”，岛的东边，是“六福城”，在这两个地方你可以品茶聚会和欣赏新会特色美食。岛的西边是玉湖酒店，设施齐备，为商务会议的首选之地。
晚上的玉湖，在湖边霓虹灯的衬托映照之下，格外浪漫迷人。
【纪念周恩来总理视察新会图片展览馆（新会劳动大学旧址）】
现在我们到纪念周恩来总理视察新会图片展览馆去参观。
1958年7月1日至7日，周总理亲临新会视察指导工作。在新会的一周，除工作外，还书写七幅题名、题词。大楼门外墙上的“新会劳动大学”六个字和题款就是周恩来总理亲笔题字的复制品。
纪念馆里展出了周总理1958年视察新会时的珍贵照片，分七大部分：周总理作报告、视察劳动大学、视察大泽五和村、视察棠下周郡农业社、视察崖门古迹、视察新会葵艺厂和新会农械厂、视察新会废物利用和粮食工作两个展会等。周总理以一个普通劳动者的身份来到群众中，亲切地同150多名工人、农民、学校师生、归侨脊等各阶层人士交谈，同一万多名群众见面，交换意见。
纪念馆内还展出朱德、董必武、邓小平、叶剑英、贺龙等国家领导人来新会视察时所留下的历史照片和墨宝。
【葵树博览园】
葵树博览园是目前世界上唯一的以葵艺文化为主题的博览园。它以丰富的历史资料和各种精美葵艺产品展现了融火画、编织、绣花等工艺美术于一体，集多种蒲葵棕榈植物于一园，体现了1600多年的新会葵艺史。早在1915年，竹萚（tuo）画扇就曾获得巴拿马世界博览会荣誉金奖。葵博园内以雕塑和图片展示了从采葵到制成工艺品的一整套严谨的技术和工艺流程。还有竹萚画扇、火画扇、双面绣花扇、葵花蓝、葵宫灯、葵蓑衣裳等葵工艺精品供大家欣赏购买。
【体育运动公园】
体育运动公园占寺千亩，游乐项目有：滑场、溜冰场、体能训练场、韩式烧烤场、碧绿湖划艇和卡丁赛车、峰瀛俱乐部山水泳场、网球场、足球场、羽毛球馆等。
体育公园往西是龙泉度假酒店，占地8万多平方米，还拥有一个天然山水沙滩泳场，是旅游度假的好去处。
因篇幅问题不能全部显示，请点此查看更多更全内容