It was Day 3 in Qingdao, on the eastern coast of the Chinese mainland, and the city felt softer with the morning light. The rain from the night before cleared the air, leaving behind a hint of sea salt and the gentle hum of waking streets 😊.
Heading up to Zhanshan Temple on the southern slopes of Zhanshan Mountain (the name literally means "clear mountain"), I stepped through ornate gates into a calm world under tall pine trees. The scene reminded me of a slow monsoon morning in Mumbai or the laid-back dawns in Yogyakarta 🏝️.
Under a simple tent by the entrance, locals sipped tea from glass jars—steam dancing in the light—and chatted soft as they watched doves pecking at crumbs. A thin veil of incense curled through the gate, leading me toward the first hints of chanting.
In one of the shrine halls, monks and visitors murmured "Om mani padme hum," a six-syllable mantra from Tibetan Buddhism. It means "Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus," a chant said to open the heart and wash away ego, jealousy, and ignorance—basically a mental spring-clean 🧘.
Ahead, rows of metal pavilions held pink lotus candles and incense sticks burning in pools of wax. Nearby, wooden prayer plaques jingled in the breeze—tiny wish-holders for health, love, or success, written in neat Chinese characters.
Inside the main hall, golden Buddha statues sat in perfect stillness. I found myself matching my breathing to the steady chant. Even though I’m not very religious, I felt warmth swell in my chest, bringing tears that weren’t sad but full of calm. For a moment, I felt both tiny and infinite at once 🌌.
Back outside, my mind felt lighter, like clearing browser tabs you didn’t know you had open. Seeing faiths coexist—temples, mosques, churches just a block apart—reminded me that unity can be as simple as shared spaces and shared silence.
Next time you need a quick escape or a reset from city noise, remember that sometimes all it takes is incense, a few deep breaths, and the promise of the tide to bring a moment of peace.
Reference(s):
Incense, stained glass, and the tide: Tracing serenity in Qingdao
cgtn.com
