Magic mountain

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

At the end of the city is the last hall - the emperor's hall. Unlike the other halls and temples which were re-built or renovated, this hall is still in its original state. It houses the beautiful statue of Yama, the god of death and his ministers who keep a track of every happening in the earth. There is also the small stone in front of this hall on which souls are supposed to balance and stand for three seconds, only the honest ones are successful.

There is a yin and yang museum close by and also narrow dark corridors decorated to represent hell with statues of guards punishing dishonest souls.

We did not realize that we had climbed up more than 500 steps to reach this point. It was now time to return full of knowledge about the afterlife in various religions.

If you go: Chongqing is well connected to all major cities in China. Snow Jade Cave and Fengdu Ghost City can be visited from Chongqing as a day trip.