Illumination at Fahai Temple

Fahai Temple's historic frescoes are displayed within its Mahavira Hall. Photo taken for CRI by William Wang, April, 2012.

There's no denying that the half-century-old frescoes are impressively preserved, but for those who want a clearer picture of their original magnificence (or who are afraid of the dark), there are replicas in the Apothecary temple, where viewers can more easily piece together pieces of the puzzle. Admittedly, the replicas may give you a better understanding of what's happening, but… the magic's not there.

The temple itself is quite pleasant, with thousand-year-old white bark pine trees and quiet garden grounds. Viewers have to keep looking behind the halls to discover more staircases, halls, and impressive views.

Fahai Temple is outside of the city centre, but it's not too hard to find. Everyone in the bustling market nearby will point you in the right direction. It's worth the trek out to gaze upon the well-preserved craft methods of the top imperial painters and their cronies.