#dragon and tiger pagodas

[atlasandacamera]

[wildbeautifuldamned]

TAILOR TOYO Reversible Acetate Souvenir Jacket Japan Map BLK Dragon Blue Men XL EBAY Kuzakura_japan

[vintagegeekculture]

Luo Song's art depicts a crossing of the Silk Road from the Chinese perspective, with one long poster split into four sections.

It starts with Chinese merchants leaving on horses in Chang An, ancient capital of China (now called Xian), and you can tell it's Chang An because of the presence of the Drum Tower (a city landmark), and the Giant Wild Goose Tiger Pagoda. There's also a dragon there in case you don't get the point.

Then it comes to the Painted Caves of Dunhuang, an art gallery in the desert. The flying woman is an apsara, a Buddhist wind angel of the Silk Road. Tyrannical upper class Chinese teenage girls love to have photo shoots of themselves as Dunhuang Apsara they put on social media like Weibo and bilibili.

Then comes a section in Xinjiang, West China, a region home to the legendary Oasis Cities, and the Turkic and Persian peoples like the Tajik, Uyghur, Kyrgyz, Mountain Mongols, and Pamiri. The mountains in the far right of the image are the Flaming Mountains of Turfan, which has a unique optical illusion at certain times of day: as a result of shimmering hot desert air combined the unique patterns of the rock, the cliffs appear to be on fire. My best guess for the building in the center, showing Turkic architecture, is that it is the Tomb of Tamerlane in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. According to legend, the tomb is inscribed with "If I still lived, the world would tremble."

Finally, the last bit has an angel in the Georgian/Armenian style, representing the passage into the lands of Christian Central Asia, followed by one of the westernmost end points of the Silk Road, Istanbul, represented by the Hagia Sofia....and in the far left, Venice.

[quitealotofsodapop]

Opinion: "Into the Pagoda" needed to be a two-parter.

Mostly because there's some worldbuilding that needs to be addressed;

"Hooked on a Feeling" starts playing.

Why the jumpsuits? When did those become fashionable? Wouldn't an old fogey like Li Jing just use rags?

In "Fengshen Yanyi"/"Investiture of the Gods"; Li Jing got the Pagoda second-hand from Randeng Daoren (a door god compared to an earlier Buddha) in order to put War-Form Nezha in timeout. I don't think even Li Jing really knows how it works.

Do those trapped within the Pagoda need to eat? Is there a cafeteria?

Does it have the time passage thing Buddhist Hell is said to have? Where it can feel like a billion years have passed - only for the outside to have just been one earth year? The gang could spend what they think is weeks inside the Pagoda, only to pop out and see that Li Jing and Nezha are only in the process of leaving the Dragon-Tiger festival.

Is there a strict schedule like in irl prisons - or are the inhabitants just allowed to run around as they please? A culture def would develop from that.

Confucian and Imperial Chinese laws probably don't eke out the same punishment as today. According to one article I found + Wikipedia; people could be seriously punished for stuff as small as; disrespecting their parents, not looking sad enough when a relative or spouse passed, stealing imperial property, being a wizard, crafting a poison, or disrespecting the Emperor and/or his family. There's probably a bunch of inmates in the Pagoda who are there for really petty crimes.

(*The Monkie Kids are approached by a gang of tough-looking demons while inside the Pagoda*) Demon #1: "Hey there, new meat. What'cha in for?" Demon #2: "Looks like he's in for stealing a lollipop!" Demon gang: (*loud guffaws!*) Macaque, whispering: "Tell them why you're here. You need to seem tough to earn their respect." MK: (*nods affirmatively*) MK, brightly addresses the demon gang: "Hi! I'm under investigation for conspiracy to destroy the Jade Emperor, Guardians of the Four Cardinal Directions, and the Fifth Heavenly Pillar itself." The demon gang: (*all in varying looks of horror and disgust*) Demon #1: "What!? What kind of psychos are they letting in now!?" Demon #2: "Screw this! I'm only in for weeing on a grave!" (*the whole gang of demons scatter in fear*) Macaque: "A little too tough, kiddo."

We only get to see the random "Red Maned Demon" and the 100 Eyed Demon. Where tf is everyone? This is probably more of an animation budget issue though since the gang mentions fighting through a bunch of demons.

There appears to be a power hierarchy - likely separated based on level, power, or severity of crime. The mook "Red Maned Demon" tries to posture at the gang before he realises that Sun Wukong is there. And Macaque was imprisoned long enough to recognise that the 100 Eyed Demon "taken over this whole section of the pagoda".

Since Li Jing is seen in "The Cage" being able to go inside the Pagoda - does he do rounds of the place?

Do they ever get pardons? In fact; does anyone investigate when Li Jing shoves someone in there? Homeboy isn't actually an impartial judge. There needs to be a regular inspection or an audit or something.

Mei: "Hey guys! I met this dragon locked in solitary while we were running around - turns out he's my cousin! Don't worry - he isn't a murder or nothing! The sign by his cell said "Not to open under any circumstance" and that he's only in for Insubordination." Ao Bing: (*tied up like Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs"*) Ao Bing, muffled: "Hi." The gang: (*all shared looks of suspicion and nervousness. Except Wukong, who comes forward to inspect the new dragon*) Tang: "Mei, I don't think it's wise to bring along a dangerous convict just because he's-" Wukong, recognising: "Sweet Buddha! THIS IS AO GUANG'S KID!!!" The Gang: (*jumps at his exclamation!*) "Who?!" Wukong: "Ao Bing! Third Prince of the East Sea! He's been missing for centuries!" Tang, gasping in nerd: "THE Ao Bing!? The dragon prince who infamously fought and died at the hands of Nezha!?" Wukong: "Pff! Died. You mortals keep forgetting! Ao Bing was revived after the Investiture Crisis so he could become the Canopy Star - taking over from a certain Marshal who fell to earth and became a pig demon." Sandy: "Then what is he doing here? Shouldn't he be in the sky or back with his dad?" Mei: "Yeeeaaah. I'm kinda confused why too." Ao Bing, muffled snarling: "Li Jing!" MK: "Oh yeah. Going by I've seen. I would not be surprised if Li Jing locked this guy away on bunk charges just to save face over the whole Nezha incident." The Gang: (*all nod in agreement*) Wukong: "Guess we have a new member to the; "Find the Stones and Fix the Pillar" party!" Ao Bing, unaware: "The what!?"

Nezha of course would have many questions once the Gang gets out... mostly directed at his dad.

When MK busted out of the Pagoda - he straight up seemed to break it. Imagine the thousands of beings suddenly free from the Pagoda after what felt like billions of years - only to see that the world is breaking apart.

Imma say my biggest take here; 100 Eyed Demon was wasted potential.

What's his deal? Does he want out too? Why is he in Li Jing's Pagoda if he was defeated and sent to guard Bodhisattva Vilambā/Pilanpo in the lore? Is Li Jing keeping him trapped as an interrogator?

His memory digging actually helped MK understand what he is - albeit in a traumatic fashion. Was 100 Eyed controlling the LBD Memory/Projection, was that really her from beyond, or was she an aspect of MK's mind?

What does 100 Eyed get out of reading people's memories? Is it a hunting strategy? Is it for entertainment? Probably no tvs in jail. Dude could have dug into a lot more lore of the characters if he was allowed cook some more.

We didn't get to see the memories of anyone else in the gang besides MK and very briefly Wukong. I wanna see some of the stuff Mei, Pigsy, Tang, Sandy, or even Mo has hidden.

Wukong apparently killed the 100 Eyed Demon without giving a chance for him to explain himself - as he's considered a Deceased character. His body even goes gray and limp as the gang celebrates finding MK. Kinda dark.

Where is his connection to the Spider Demons? What if the reason he was scouring MK's memories was to figure out what happened to them?

100 Eyed Demon: "Where is she?!" MK: "Huh?" (*MK sees that he's in his memory of "72 Transformations" when he last saw the Spider Queen.*) 100 Eyed Demon: "HER." MK, realising: "I...! I don't know! She was worried about the Lady Bone Demon. She even let me get away so I could find a way to stop her. I think... I think the bone demon used them all to create her weapon." (*the memory flashes to the fight with LBD; showing the spirits of the dead Spider Demon.*) 100 Eyed Demon, despairing so hard that the mindscape shakes: "NO! Not her! I haven't had time to-" (*MK is suddenly broken from his memory binge, now seeing the centipede demon sobbing from within his memories.*) MK: "Hey... you ok bud?" 100 Eyed Demon: (*sitting amongst the memories of being a younger demon, surrounded by seven small spider demons calling him "Gege". The eldest of the spiders has a very familiar beauty mark.*) 100 Eyed Demon: "She... Jing. She was the last of them. My sisters. I refused to stand down against the Monkey King in exchange for their safety... and they paid the price." (*the memories turn to the fight between Sun Wukong and the 100 Eyed Demon during the Journey. How the centipede had poisoned the Pilgrims, and how Wukong offered the lives of his sisters for the antidote... and how the 100 Eyed Demon refused.*) MK, JTTW knowledge kicking in: "Ohhhh..." 100 eyed Demon: "Even with my pardon from Pilanpo, I had no time to apologies for how I acted. How I so fragrantly gambled their lives for my own..." (*the mind-scape goes blank for some time, showing scattered memories of the centipede as a guard for his Bodhisattva. His employment only halted when he attacked Li Jing for disrespecting her - leading to his imprisonment in the Pagoda*) 100 Eyed Demon: "If my sister's final act was to deem you worthy to live, so shall I." MK: "Huh?" (*the 100 Eyed Demon suddenly releases himself and MK from the memories*) 100 Eyed Demon: "Zhizhu Jing's death has already been repaid with the destruction of the Bone Demon. I see no reason to keep you here any longer. Go forth Harbinger. Accomplish what I cannot; leave this Pagoda." MK: "Th-thank you! Not just for letting me go but... for helping me see that stuff. How I was made." 100 Eyed Demon: "It is no great issue. I only ask that... you punch the Pagoda King in the face. For me." MK, saluting: "Will do!"

[cherllyio]

Nüwa is going to sacfrice herself, not Wukong - A Season 5 Theory

Now, I do like the "Wukong is going to sacrifice himself theory", i acutally think its really cool!

But... While looking at the LEGO sets (more specifically "The Celistial Pagoda Set"), i noticed something... interesting about Nüwa's characther design. (in this picture)

As you can see, in Nüwa's hair decoration is acutally the home of the last magical stone, the yellow stone. (Which is also placed right over her)

So, she is clearly in some way related to that stone.

But it doesnt stop there! For right underneath the stone, in her hair, is a symbol of a yellow dragon. More Specifically The Yellow Dragon from Chinese Constellations.

This is based of the evidence, that we know the other four constelations are the magical creatures we see in the trailer, which are as following:

The Azure Dragon of the East

The White Tiger of the West

The Vermilion of the South

The Black Tortoise of the North (which is beheind MK)

@lu-zijing explained it in great detail here, if you are interested in more, but anyway-

The Last Constellation was, the Yellow Dragon, represents the center of cosmos, the element of earth, dualism or just shortly said: Yin and Yang.

And as i talked about here, Nüwa is heavily related to:

The Cosmos (Did you know she is also a star godess?)

An abstract mindset

And she is also the grandaughter of Pangu (the one who split heaven and earth)

But... this would then also mean, that if The Azure Dragon and The White Tiger had to sacrifice themselves, to give MK and co the stones...

Yea... thats not a good sign for our dear Nüwa...

And in some versions of the "Nüwa mending the heavens myth", she acutally does sacfice herself to mend the heavens!

(as I was told by @AggroAggron in a little conversation we had in the comments) in that video i linked to earlier)

Conclusion: The ammount of angst this would result in is crazy. Like Nüwa is the closest thing MK has to a biological mother.

[jeffurlan]

🫶 Dragon & Tiger Pagodas, Taiwan 🇹🇼

[icy-watch]

So. My theories on the fifth stone were wrong. Ok. That's fine. Can't always be right.

But, hey! They're in the pagoda! Now they can at least find the stone and be reunited with Macaque!

Assuming Li Jing didn't just lock him up again. Which he could have done.

Genuinely, I'm surprised that the Dragon and the Tiger both died on screen. It was a very Disney death, but still.

I keep trying to make sense of the cycle, and the only thing I can think of is MK is a reincarnation of someone who's sacrificed themselves before. And both Wukong and Macaque have figured this out.

Idk, that's just kind of where my brain's going.

Alright, I'll be back for another episode tomorrow! Until then!

[austin-in-taiwan]

August 1 - Kaohsiung - Lotus Pond, Qishan Train Station Museum

This morning, our first stop was the Lotus Pond and the temples over the water. First, we stopped at the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Unfortunately, it was under construction, and there were scaffoldings all around it, so we couldn't fully grasp its beauty. However, we could still go into the Dragon and the Tiger. As in any temple, you have to enter into the dragon side and leave through the Tiger side, as we saw already in the temple in Taipei. Inside showed Confucius' Twenty-four Filial Exemplars on the left and hell on the right side (see images below). The mural was fascinating and beautifully made. The giant dragon and tiger were super cool to walk into and experience that temple. Next, we went to the Spring and Autumn Pavilions. Right in the center, there was a much longer dragon that you could walk inside of. Conversely, people were praying at shrines built inside of this dragon. Around the dragon were two pavilions and a long walkway down to the final pavilion with a second story. We walked out over there and enjoyed the view from the center of the Lotus Pond.

Afterward, we got treated to an all-you-can-eat Mongolian BBQ lunch. It was delicious, and I stuffed myself with as much as possible. Finally, we went to the Qishan Train Station, but there wasn't much there, so we didn't stay for long. The old train cars were interesting to see. As I write this, it is 5:00 pm, and there is still time in the day, but our class activities are over. I plan to go to the Rui Feng Night Market for dinner, so I will upload another post with what I eat after this one!

Academic Reflection

On the bus going towards the Lotus Pond and inside the dragon at the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, our tour guide Peter had taught me about Confucius' Twenty-four Filial Exemplars. These stories were a Confucious text written in the Yuan dynasty as an example of respecting one's parents and elders. Each of the 24 stories inside the dragon was depicted on a mural. Knowing a few from Peter and then reading about them afterward has allowed me to appreciate it much more. Here are some examples of the stores: One son was in a poor family that did not have mosquito nets, so instead of letting his parents get bit, he allowed the mosquitoes to drain him until they were full. One son sold himself into servitude to pay for his father's funeral expenses. Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty tasted his mother's medicine to ensure it was safe and effective. These are just three of the twenty-four stories in this Pagoda mural (Jordan 1-8).

Overall, learning these stories depicts the culture of respecting your elders, which is prevalent here, in China, and anywhere in which Confucius' lessons are heavily followed. Although in the US, we, too, mostly respect our elders, it is nothing compared to how much they do here and how it is depicted in this lesson. This is one culture that is important and is something that we should pick up in the US.

Jordan, David K. The Twenty-four Filial Exemplars. University of California, San Diego, https://pages.ucsd.edu/~dkjordan/chin/shiaw/FilialExemplarsEnglish.pdf. Accessed 31 July 2024.

[saints-helen]

And he loved him in every way that a person Can be loved,

And he loved him in every way that a thing Can be loved,

And he loved him in every way that love itself can exist, and that was swad's problem.

He loved him too much.

He loved him as you would love a pagoda a temple a god, he loved him as you would love a fountain or a mountain or a cod, he loves him in the way you love tea and coffee and mud.

He loved him the way you love a partner a friend a lover, a sister or a neighbour or maybe something other, he loved him the way you love a mother a father, a son, and brother.

He loved him the way you love a lake and the sky, the view and the sunset, he loved him the way you love love and affection, and the stars and the onset of the numbers you choose to calculate, a birthday, a night with no stars and and a morning with no sun.

He loved him the way you loved a bed, after working, and the way you loved working after bed.

And he loved him the way you love sleep, obsession, and he loved him the way hunger loves the mortal and the fighter loves defeat.

And he loves him in the way you love hatred, and sound, and the way a hawk can love a rabbit its eating; gratefulness. Joy. Warmth.

And he loved him the falcon in the sky and he loved him the bird in its nest, and he loved him the cannibal a body and the body an archeologist;

"You knew that i was here. You know what i used to Be."

And he loved him the way the air loves your lungs and the way your lungs love the air, and the way your eyes loved the light and a child loves the fair.

And he loved him like a book and a story, and a pet, and a gaze upon something faulty;

A mechanic;

"You need me, you need this, let me make you Whole Again."

And he loved him as the hammer loves its maker and the way the maker loves his tool, and he loves him like the tiger loves its cub and its cub loves the fool, and how the fool loved the circus and the circus loved him too.

And he loved swan the way the prince does and the way a king does and the queen, and the evil sorceress and he loved him the way the spell loves the cursed; the molds of their body, the way the tower loved the beautiful princess in her folly a Bargain for defeat: kill the dragon, and you can have Me.

And he loved him the way a rainbow loved to be formed and he loved him like clouds love the sea, drifting on by again and again and again and he loved him like movement loved the air.

And the way dance loved music and music loved composers, and the love between possession possessor and object, and the love between siblings and prey and lovers, and he loved him in loving and hating and murder, and he loved him in killing and eating and further, and a burner burning eating away at a heart that's set aflame and the way the apple Loved him, and the way he loves it too.

Swad loved swan in the way you love a being. And swad loved swan in the way you love a thing. And swad loved swan in the way you eat your dinner. And swad loved swan in the way you love fleeing.

And he loved him like a feather loves to fall, and he loved him like muscle loved to tear, and he loved him like bone loved to break; in such an uncaring, effortless, ease of way.

And he loved him with effort, the way you run. And he loved him in trying, and clawing, and a growl. And he loved him when bleeding, when either of their clothes stained red, and he loved him like a feral dog loves to bark. And he loved him like a kind heart loved so loved to be, and he loved him like skin loved the earth, the worm, the flesh; with a need to tear and Mend and make so Perfect. And he loved him like the selfish loved the selfless and the way selfishness loved the self, and in swan's panicked eyes flickering back and forth drifting he saw his Whole Self. And he loved that too.

And he loved him like swan's scars loved his body. And he loved him like swan's weapons loved to Dig. And he loved him like swan's legs loved to kick. And he loved him like swan's ribs loved to Break.

And he loved him.

Oh he loved him so.

Oh how he loved him So.

And swan had always been the very thing he loved the most, and the apples loved him, too, they loved swan so very much, and they didn't only love swad, they loved swan because he loved him, they loved swan because all swad had ever wanted to do was make him His.

His brother.

His bones.

His wings.

His.

Only his.

And no one else's.

And no one could ever love swan as swad loved him.

Because strings aren't meant to be tangled, and yet they so very Love to.

And rock isn't meant to be broken, melted, and yet it oh so very Loved to.

And animals don't want to be hunted, eaten, and yet oh their bodies so very Wanted to.

Swan just didn't know it yet, that he was a bird for a bird of prey.

And swad, his hunger, loved him so very much.

And swad then loved him in the way you loved wanting, and so then he loved him in the way you loved having, and so then he loved him in the way you loved leaving, and so and So then he loved him, in the way you loved Needing.

And birds are never good with being hungry, no animal is, no object is, no thing is, no person.

No.

No.

They never did well with being hungry, no matter how hunger so very loved the stomach.

And all love is powerful and all love is wanting and all love is melting and all love is good, and all love is consumption and tangling up and up and up until you can no longer tell where love begins and where love ends and where they all stuck together diverge.

All of its different colours blended all together until they all loved the very same ugly beautiful brown of drying blood on a body that swad loved so so very much and it made him Wanting.

Mouth watering heart hammering and More.

And his eyes, dilating, slitting, changing ever so slightly as the breath left his brother his lover his weapon his Friend his beautiful beautiful moon in the sky, eyes growing duller and duller and he loved him the way a leg loved kicking in desperation and claws kept clawing vainly trying to catch some flesh underneath and the panicked, shallow, Wheezing rise and fall of his chest like a chirrup under talon made him endeared and adored and filled with so much Love, and he loved him the way teeth love biting and he loved him the way blood loved veins and he loved him the way it moved and moved and Begged to get out.

And he loved him the way adrenaline loved the hunt, and he loved him the way a system loved to give up, and he loved him like the earth loved the rot and he loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him loved him.

And Oh how he Loved him So Very much.

[tourist-destinations]

Top Animals and Attractions to See with Dubai Safari Park Tickets

If you are looking to spend a day having fun and experiencing adventures with wildlife, check out the attractions in Dubai Safari Park. Whether you want to introduce your kids to wild animals or you just want a break from the city's hustle and bustle. You will get to see exotic creatures, enjoy thrilling attractions, and learn about conservation efforts all in one place. Let's go through a list of top animals and attractions you absolutely shouldn't miss!

Top Animals at Dubai Safari Park

The Dubai Safari Park tickets will give you access to over 3000 animals, including carnivorous and primate mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates. You will get to enjoy the big cats like tigers in the Asian village, enjoying a dip in the cold and calming waters of the enclosure specially made for them, providing much-needed relief from heat from time to time.

Kids are delighted watching the fastest land animal on Earth, the cheetah, as it roams within the specially created African Village enclosures, showcasing its incredible speed.

Gentle giants like African elephants and giraffes are highlights of the African village. Visitors keep staring at them in awe and can’t move on from the view. At designated places they can even feed giraffes, which is a unique experience in itself.

The park's breeding program for endangered species includes Olive and Neloy, a white rhino couple who are key ambassadors of their kind. During special tours, you can feed these beauties under strict supervision.

Arabian desert safari showcases some of the endangered species, like the Arabian oryx, which was about to go extinct by the 1970s due to excessive hunting. Arabian gazelle, white addax, and sang gazelle also share the same desert enclosure.

Hippos are so popular that they have their own aquarium where people enjoy them in their natural habitat, which is mostly submerged in water.

Bird lovers can see, observe, and sometimes handle and feed parrots, hornbills, toucans, and flamingos. To surprise bird enthusiasts, big birds like bald eagles, flamingos, crowned cranes, and ostriches grace the Dubai Safari Park, captivating everyone.

The Best Attractions at Dubai Safari Park

Seeing the African Village, Asia Village, Explorer Village, Arabian Desert Safari, and Al Wadi are the best things to do in Dubai. In addition to these, the Dubai Safari Park is also popular because of its safari journey, kids' farm, evening safari at sunset, exciting sports rides, camping, and many more such attractions.

The African Village

Some of the largest and smallest land mammals in the world, including the African elephant and the meerkat, are the attractions at the African Village. It is home to a variety of animals, including cheetah, white lion, chimpanzee, striped hyena, gemsbok, red-ruffed lemur, and carpet python. Approximately 13,227 lbs in weight, the African elephant is considered a hero attraction here.

Asia Village

Asia Village is home to Asian wildlife species like the Komodo dragon and Indian elephant and is inspired by the elaborate architecture of Asia, such as Chinese pagodas. The Moon Bear Forest, Gibbon Forest, Bird House, and Asian Village Theatre are its four distinct zones, each of which highlights a different aspect of Asian wildlife and culture.

Explorer Village

The Explorer Village is one of the most popular attractions in Dubai Safari Park as it allows guests to take a big bus to get up close to animals from Asia and Africa, including tigers, lions, and huge giraffes. It is popular due to its unforgettable drive-through safari. The Explorer Village teaches us about wildlife preservation and having fun at the same time.

Arabian Desert Safari

Arabian Village, also known as the Arabian Desert Safari, gets inspiration from the mountains, flora, and wildlife of Western Asia's enormous deserts. It displays the stunning fauna of the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian wolf is the village's hero animal. The Children’s Farm or Petting Zoo is the main attraction of the Arabian Desert Safari.

Al Wadi

Al Wadi is a farm area intended to help people relax after a long safari. The land is covered with lush greenery, with waterfalls and fish ponds for you to observe. Al Wadi is a sanctuary with beautiful picnic spots and one of the popular things to do in Dubai with kids.

Tips for Visiting Dubai Safari Park - ● You can buy Dubai safari park tickets online ● Also, don't forget to keep an eye on offers and family/group discounts, especially in the slack season. ● Go for comfortable shoes and clothes. ● Stay hydrated and take breaks frequently on the long trail of the safari. ● Don't forget to attend the below-stated top shows offered by the park: o Amazing creature of the world o Bird of prey o Bird show o Explorer village show

Dubai Safari Park is not an ordinary zoo. It is a fascinating and real wildlife experience that is different in a lot of ways. If you are planning to visit Dubai Safari Park in your one day in Dubai itinerary , you are going to have the best time. Dubai Safari Park is one of the most popular things to do in Dubai with kids and should be something all families visiting the city must do.

[brookebeebe-blog]

August 1st - Lotus Pond, Qishan Train Station

I woke up next to my brand new goose. Also, my cough is almost gone I think. So maybe the goose is good luck. I got ready and went down for breakfast at around 9. We had an early start today, so then I went to the lobby to meet up with everyone for the activities of the day. First, we went to the Lotus Pond. There were a bunch of temples on the water. There were also a ton of turtle and fish in the pond. It was very pretty. Next, we were supposed to go to a Confucius Temple, but it was closed today. I’m assuming this was due to the typhoon because a bunch of workers were cleaning trees up, but I’m not really sure. Then, it was time for lunch. It was another all you can eat Korean BBQ kind of thing. It was good, but I was still full from breakfast so I didn’t eat much. Andy ate some really spicy food and then chugged a bunch of yogurt and then ended up getting sick on the bus ride to our next location, which was the Qishan Train Station. Apparently, the town was the number one producer of bananas in Taiwan, so we all got some banana merch. I got a postcard and a keychain that almost everyone bought. They gave us a $30 coupon, which in turn made everyone convince themselves to buy something, so they definitely knew what they were doing business-wise. We had an hour bus ride back to the hotel and then I have a quiz to do and some work.

Academic Reflection

Today, I am going to do my academic reflection on the Lotus Pond Temples. The first temple we visited was the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. The dragons throat is the entrance and the tigers mouth is the exit. In Chinese culture, this symbolizes turning back luck into good fortune. Inside, there are paintings and sculptures that depict China’s 24 most obedient sons. There are also scenes of heaven and hell to promote good deeds among people and to create fear of wrongdoing. Yeh Laoshi also told me the zigzag walkway leading to the temple was because evil spirits are only capable of walking in a straight line. The next temples we saw were the Spring and Autumn Pavillions. These are dedicated to Kuan Kung, which is the God of War. They were completed in 1951. In front of the pavilions, a statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, is deposited riding a dragon. According to legend, Guanyin flew above the clouds riding a dragon, which led to the imagery captured by the temple. The lake is entirely man-made, but since it is always covered with lotus flowers, the name lotus pond stuck. Also, Peter told us it is common for people to buy fish and turtles from markets and free them in the pond as a good deed, which may help their chances to going to heaven.

Citations

https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002121&id=R157

[carrscrap]

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

[citybit-in]

 List of Amazing Places to Visit in Nagpur

Known as the 'Orange City', Nagpur is a hidden gem in the heart of India, with a vibrant culture, historical significance and natural beauty. Be it a history buff, a nature lover or a foodie, Nagpur has something for everyone. Take Citybit.in's virtual tour and explore  top tourist spots in Nagpur.

Deekshabhoomi: Start your trip with a visit to

 Deekshabhoomi, a sacred Buddhist monument. This is where the doctor is. B.R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism and the stupa is considered a symbol of peace and equality. The tranquil environment creates a peaceful atmosphere suitable for introspection.

Sitabuldi Fort:  Immerse yourself in the history of

 Sitabuldi Fort, a landmark that played an important role in various battles. The fort offers panoramic views of Nagpur and is a must-visit place for history buffs due to its historical importance.

Raman Science Center: Immerse yourself in the wonders of science at

 Raman Science Center. Interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and educational exhibits make for an exciting experience for visitors of all ages. Perfect for families and curious people.

Ambazari Lake and Gardens: Enjoy his day relaxing at

 Ambazari Lake and Gardens, a beautiful place that brings tranquility in nature. Boat rides on the lake, walks through the gardens, and beautiful scenery make it a popular recreational destination.

Nagjira Wildlife Sanctuary:

Nagjira Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit for nature lovers. The reserve is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, and various species of birds, offering a unique opportunity to connect with nature.

Ryuguji Temple:

Explore the charming Ryuguji Temple, a symbol of Japan-India friendship. Its pagoda-like architecture, intricate carvings, and peaceful atmosphere make it a spiritual sanctuary for visitors.

Futara Lake:

Futara Lake is popular with locals and tourists alike. The illuminated lakefront, lively food stalls, and tranquil atmosphere make it the perfect place for a night out with friends and family.

Zero Mile Stone:  Don't miss the

 Zero Mile Stone which marks the geographical center of India. This location has historical significance as a point for measuring distances to various cities in the country. With its diverse range of attractions.

 Nagpur promises an unforgettable experience to every traveller. From the historical importance of Deekshabhoomi to the natural beauty of Ambazari Lake to the cultural attractions of Dragon Palace Temple, Citybit.in is your guide to discovering the best of Nagpur. Embark on a journey that combines history, nature and spirituality and feel a deep appreciation for this vibrant city in the heart of India. Let's explore Nagpur. Every corner reveals  new aspects of its riches.

Read More:

Sitabuldi Fort: History, Entry Fee, Timings!

[quitealotofsodapop]

Does that last ask mean Nezha is on MK’s side the whole time during the MK Egged au?

Ref.

Yup.

The second Nezha learned about MK's Stone Egg, his loyalty has been to his role as Protector of Children.

To ensure that the youngest Stone Monkey (whether that be MK himself or the future infant) is safe outweighs any other duties Nezha may have. Except perhaps finding safe place to hide the Emperor's power.

So when Li Jing treats MK like animal that needs to be tamed and caged, Nezha's trust in his father falters.

Nezha busts the monkeys out on purpose. And pretends he sees nothing when he attends the Dragon-Tiger festival.

Li Jing: "You let them get away!? Why didn't you react?!" Nezha:

When the gang jump into the Pagoda, Nezha is jumping in after them cus "Gotdang it! Gotta make sure MK is safe!"

Also once the Queen Mother of the West arrives on-scene to see what the commotion is about, Li Jing gets the crap beaten out of him for putting a pregnant person in distress.

Xiwangmu, destructive power lashing at Li Jing: "You are truly the worst son-in-law I have!" Li Jing, dodging her flames: "Do you forget the Bull!!?" Xiwangmu: "HE WOULD NEVER HURT A PREGNANT PERSON!"

Xiangliu barely has the screen time to explain their plans since they get a War Form Lotus Prince and Primordial Destruction Goddess squeezing them like a stress ball. Meanwhile, MK still puts himself in harms way by sacrificing himself to the Pillar, only to pop out moments later with Nuwa's permission to destroy the heavenly stones.

Once the baby Haoyu is finally born/hatched, Nezha holds them and prays; "Please, do not be as much trouble as your parent."

Haoyu sneezes and flames spit onto Nezha's face. Nezha sighs fondly.

[slusnicesi]

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

[feministslut]

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung, Taiwan