Old, but not precious
In one part of Changping Park there are several stone carvings and stelae collected in one area. In, around, and even on these at any given time during the day people can be found resting, playing cards, or, like one group of older women every afternoon, exercising to music. They are also incredibly fun for kids to climb.
Unlike at places like the Ming Tombs or The Summer Palace, there's no sign reminding us that these are cultural relics worthy of protection. When I first came to Changping, I assumed they were replicas from the Tombs. Yesterday, though, I was able to ask Mr. Z about them while our boys played. He said they were real, not copies, and had come from all kinds of temples and other sites around Changping that had fallen into disrepair or decay. He pointed out the intricate carvings on one particular creature upon which our kids had climbed. While the detail was technically impressive, he said that this, as well as the other stones in Changping Park, were merely "old but not precious." For instance, this creature may only be two or three hundred years old, and had several superficial cracks that had been hastily filled with cement.
There may be scholars, out there, somewhere, who would be very interested in cataloging these stones from disparate sources. However, for us out here in Changping, they are just another attraction at our local public park.
Unlike at places like the Ming Tombs or The Summer Palace, there's no sign reminding us that these are cultural relics worthy of protection. When I first came to Changping, I assumed they were replicas from the Tombs. Yesterday, though, I was able to ask Mr. Z about them while our boys played. He said they were real, not copies, and had come from all kinds of temples and other sites around Changping that had fallen into disrepair or decay. He pointed out the intricate carvings on one particular creature upon which our kids had climbed. While the detail was technically impressive, he said that this, as well as the other stones in Changping Park, were merely "old but not precious." For instance, this creature may only be two or three hundred years old, and had several superficial cracks that had been hastily filled with cement.
There may be scholars, out there, somewhere, who would be very interested in cataloging these stones from disparate sources. However, for us out here in Changping, they are just another attraction at our local public park.
Comments
Of course, we have establishments that brag, "Since 1997"