Magic mountain

The Snow Jade Cave features many stalagmite and stalactite formations. [Photo by Bidisha Bagchi for Shanghai Star]

Crossing the Wuchang Hall dedicated to the servant of the underworld who protects the mountain is another important section of the city, the Baizi Hall. The statues of Bodhisattva and Manjushree adorn this hall and it is believed that pilgrims come here to pray for their children and their wellbeing. There are also statues of goddesses who bless the son - surprisingly, nowhere in the hall there is any mention of a girl child or a daughter, it is only son.

There is another interesting activity going on here - large iron woks filled with water are placed side by side on tables. Visitors who rub their palms on the handles of these woks and stir the water are said to be successful in life. Once again, there is a long line here.

Taking the road to hell with beautiful but slightly scary ghostly statues on both sides, we reached another important section of the city - the gate of hell - the entrance for the soul of a dead person and once again, the honest souls can pass easily and the dishonest ones are punished.