Day 10 - 23 Apr 2014

The last full day on board the vessel, After breakfast we are heading off to the Ghost City in Fengdu County.

Located on the Ming Mountain on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, Fengdu County is known to most Chinese as the 'Ghost City'. Having nearly two thousand years' history, the Ghost City combines the cultures of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism with the mystique of ghosts. Many famous literary works like Journey to the West, Apotheosis of Heroes and Strange Tales of a Lonely Studio contain vivid references to Fengdu.
Fengdu got its name as the Ghost City in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Two officials from the imperial court Yin Changsheng and Wang Fangping decided to come to Ming Mountain to practice Taoist teachings. Through self-cultivation they became immortals. Combining their surnames produces the term "Yinwang" meaning the "king of hell." Later, during the Tang Dynasty, a stupendous temple was erected on Ming Mountain depicting life in hell. It displays demonic images and torture devices and reflects the notion that good people will be treated well in the afterlife and that bad people will be punished by going to hell.
In the Chinese vision of the afterlife, the dead must undergo three major tests to enter the netherworld. These tests are taken at three locations - Nothing-To-Be-Done-Bridge; Ghost Torturing Pass and the Tianzi (son of heaven) Palace. These three locations are among many attractions in this scenic area.

 This complex is a holiday resort for wealthy Chinese and is not part of the tour,

If you hold hands whilst walking over this bridge you will have a happy marriage

Mountain Ghost

The Naughty Ghost

Ghost Immortal

Meat Eating Ghost

A Learned Ghost

The Lustful Ghost

Wreath Eating Ghost

The Thousand Eyes Ghost

A Drunkard Ghost

The Swift Ghost

The Air Eating Ghost

Ghost Rests in the Sea

Statue of a Yaksha

Yama Ghost

The dead find out the judges verdict

Differing tortures for those condemned by the judges

The officials whooversee the torture. They can be seen in previous photos sitting above those being tortured.

More tortures

Back to Normality

From the Ghost City we went back to the ship where we had lunch.
The afternoon was free leading up to the Captains Farewell Dinner.
Michael and I watched a movie in the ships cinema.
Tomorrow we leave the ship.