Fengdu Ghost City — Attraction in Chongqing

It's a neat place to learn a little more about Taoist and Buddhist beliefs. The temple complex is actually a replica of the original, which was sadly razed during the Cultural Revolution. So although most of it dates back to only the last 10-20 years, it does faithfully recreate what was here before. The only original piece is the Lord of the Netherworld, 'cause even when following the Chairman's orders, the locals weren't stupid.

The place is made up of a series of different temples, all fulfilling various purposes in Taoism and Buddhism. There are also a few allegorical tests for spirits that you can do, with varying levels of touristy knick-knacks accompanying them.

The temple or shrine to the king of the underworld is active though, and you can participate if you want or just observe. But while I was there a fair few faithful came to pay their respects via an interesting tradition-they took bamboo passports with seals made from cinnabar ink, offered them to the lord, then had them ritualistically burned outside.

There are limited bathroom opportunities and only snacks and bottled drinks available, so if you're not on a Yangtze River Cruise, make sure you...

Went there today (April '17) and was disappointed with the experience. I had been really looking forward to it but ended up rushing through most of it as it was full of tour groups, with guides talking loudly into microphones and people queuing to take pictures in front of everything. Some parts were really atmospheric and beautiful but not worth, in my mind, the hassle of getting there from Chongqing... Very souless for a place supposedly so spiritual, surrounded by the usual tourist infrastructure of souvenir shops etc... We paid 50 for the entrance fee using student ID (it's 100 otherwise, some people use drivers livenses or other photo-cards). We did not know this but the area has been divided into two 'scenic areas', each of which requires a different ticket (the other one is priced at a 100 too) - so this review is only for the hell part - we skipped heaven... That's where the ghost king is (the big head sticking out of the rock, although you can still see it from afar). Lots of things were also closed, so yeah... I wouldn't...

The City of Ghosts temple complex is well worth the 400 stairs (or cable car) it takes to get up there, although it is easily done if you meander and stop to admire everything along the way, which is a lot.

The temples at the top have intricate and beautiful roof, beam and eave structures all painted in bright colors, as are most ceilings. Be sure to look up all the time (but mind your steps!). In the temples there are a mass of statues besides the evil stone statues leading up to the main gate. There are many opportunities for offering burning incense and for prayers where knee cushions are provided. There is so much to take in one can spend an entire day there going from building to building.

It is sad that the pagoda is not accessible because of the structural instability, but this disappointment hardly detracts.

Cruise ships moor about 700m down the road and it is easily walkable along the promenade facing the river, although transport is...