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Swayambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. The Tibetan name for the site means 'Sublime Trees', for the many varieties of trees found on the hill.<br/><br/> For the Buddhist Newars in whose mythological history and origin myth as well as day-to-day religious practice, Swayambhunath occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it is second only to Bodhnath.
The Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery was built in 1822 by Nanmadaw Me Nu, the first queen of King Bagyidaw (1784 - 1846).<br/><br/> Inwa was the capital of Burma for nearly 360 years, on five separate occasions, from 1365 to 1842. So identified as the seat of power in Burma that Inwa (as the Kingdom of Ava, or the Court of Ava) was the name by which Burma was known to Europeans down to the 19th century.
The Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery was built in 1822 by Nanmadaw Me Nu, the first queen of King Bagyidaw (1784 - 1846).<br/><br/> Inwa was the capital of Burma for nearly 360 years, on five separate occasions, from 1365 to 1842. So identified as the seat of power in Burma that Inwa (as the Kingdom of Ava, or the Court of Ava) was the name by which Burma was known to Europeans down to the 19th century.
The Jin dynasty, distinguished as the Sima Jin and Liang Jin, was a Chinese dynasty, empire, and era traditionally dated from 265 to 420 CE. It was founded by Sima Yan, son of Sima Zhao who was made Prince of Jin and posthumously declared the founder of the dynasty.<br/><br/> The Western Wei followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 535 to 557 CE. As with the Northern Wei state that preceded it, the ruling family of Western Wei were members of the Tuoba clan of the Xianbei.
The Jin dynasty, distinguished as the Sima Jin and Liang Jin, was a Chinese dynasty, empire, and era traditionally dated from 265 to 420 CE. It was founded by Sima Yan, son of Sima Zhao who was made Prince of Jin and posthumously declared the founder of the dynasty.<br/><br/> The Western Wei followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 535 to 557 CE. As with the Northern Wei state that preceded it, the ruling family of Western Wei were members of the Tuoba clan of the Xianbei.
The Eastern Han, also known as the Later Han, formally began on 5 August 25, when Liu Xiu became Emperor Guangwu of Han.<br/><br/> Luoyang, Henan Province, was established as the Eastern Han capital by the Guangwu Emperor Liu Xiu (25-57 CE).<br/><br/> This brick, from the chamber wall of a rich and powerful family's tomb, depicts the home of a wealthy, influential Han official; it features a walled courtyard, house, bedrooms, halls, kitchen, well, and a watchtower. The host and his guest sit and drink in the inner courtyard, while two roosters fight and two cranes dance.
The Jin dynasty, distinguished as the Sima Jin and Liang Jin, was a Chinese dynasty, empire, and era traditionally dated from 265 to 420 CE. It was founded by Sima Yan, son of Sima Zhao who was made Prince of Jin and posthumously declared the founder of the dynasty.<br/><br/> The Western Wei followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 535 to 557 CE. As with the Northern Wei state that preceded it, the ruling family of Western Wei were members of the Tuoba clan of the Xianbei.
The Jin dynasty, distinguished as the Sima Jin and Liang Jin, was a Chinese dynasty, empire, and era traditionally dated from 265 to 420 CE. It was founded by Sima Yan, son of Sima Zhao who was made Prince of Jin and posthumously declared the founder of the dynasty.<br/><br/> The Western Wei followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 535 to 557 CE. As with the Northern Wei state that preceded it, the ruling family of Western Wei were members of the Tuoba clan of the Xianbei.
The Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery was built in 1822 by Nanmadaw Me Nu, the first queen of King Bagyidaw (1784 - 1846).<br/><br/> Inwa was the capital of Burma for nearly 360 years, on five separate occasions, from 1365 to 1842. So identified as the seat of power in Burma that Inwa (as the Kingdom of Ava, or the Court of Ava) was the name by which Burma was known to Europeans down to the 19th century.
The Maha Aung Mye Bonzan Monastery was built in 1822 by Nanmadaw Me Nu, the first queen of King Bagyidaw (1784 - 1846).<br/><br/> Inwa was the capital of Burma for nearly 360 years, on five separate occasions, from 1365 to 1842. So identified as the seat of power in Burma that Inwa (as the Kingdom of Ava, or the Court of Ava) was the name by which Burma was known to Europeans down to the 19th century.
Si Thep, also Sri Thep, (7th – 14th century CE) is an ancient ruined town in Northeast Thailand. Many architectural structures still remain to indicate its past prosperity. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the central plain basin of Thailand and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast.<br/><br/> A twin- city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are architectural by nature such as elaborate lintels and sema stones. A few of the human skeletons discovered are still adorned with ornamental pieces.
Si Thep, also Sri Thep, (7th – 14th century CE) is an ancient ruined town in Northeast Thailand. Many architectural structures still remain to indicate its past prosperity. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the central plain basin of Thailand and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast.<br/><br/> A twin- city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are architectural by nature such as elaborate lintels and sema stones. A few of the human skeletons discovered are still adorned with ornamental pieces.
Si Thep, also Sri Thep, (7th – 14th century CE) is an ancient ruined town in Northeast Thailand. Many architectural structures still remain to indicate its past prosperity. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the central plain basin of Thailand and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast.<br/><br/> A twin- city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are architectural by nature such as elaborate lintels and sema stones. A few of the human skeletons discovered are still adorned with ornamental pieces.
Si Thep, also Sri Thep, (7th – 14th century CE) is an ancient ruined town in Northeast Thailand. Many architectural structures still remain to indicate its past prosperity. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the central plain basin of Thailand and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast.<br/><br/> A twin- city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are architectural by nature such as elaborate lintels and sema stones. A few of the human skeletons discovered are still adorned with ornamental pieces.
Si Thep, also Sri Thep, (7th – 14th century CE) is an ancient ruined town in Northeast Thailand. Many architectural structures still remain to indicate its past prosperity. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the central plain basin of Thailand and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast.<br/><br/> A twin- city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are architectural by nature such as elaborate lintels and sema stones. A few of the human skeletons discovered are still adorned with ornamental pieces.
Si Thep, also Sri Thep, (7th – 14th century CE) is an ancient ruined town in Northeast Thailand. Many architectural structures still remain to indicate its past prosperity. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the central plain basin of Thailand and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast.<br/><br/> A twin- city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are architectural by nature such as elaborate lintels and sema stones. A few of the human skeletons discovered are still adorned with ornamental pieces.
Si Thep, also Sri Thep, (7th – 14th century CE) is an ancient ruined town in Northeast Thailand. Many architectural structures still remain to indicate its past prosperity. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the central plain basin of Thailand and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast.<br/><br/> A twin- city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are architectural by nature such as elaborate lintels and sema stones. A few of the human skeletons discovered are still adorned with ornamental pieces.
Si Thep, also Sri Thep, (7th – 14th century CE) is an ancient ruined town in Northeast Thailand. Many architectural structures still remain to indicate its past prosperity. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the central plain basin of Thailand and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast.<br/><br/> A twin- city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are architectural by nature such as elaborate lintels and sema stones. A few of the human skeletons discovered are still adorned with ornamental pieces.
Si Thep, also Sri Thep, (7th – 14th century CE) is an ancient ruined town in Northeast Thailand. Many architectural structures still remain to indicate its past prosperity. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the central plain basin of Thailand and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast.<br/><br/> A twin- city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are architectural by nature such as elaborate lintels and sema stones. A few of the human skeletons discovered are still adorned with ornamental pieces.
The Bakong is a late 9th century Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva.<br/><br/> A thousand years ago Bakong was the central feature of Jayavarman II’s capital of Hariharalaya. It is built as a temple mountain on an artificial mound surrounded by a moat and outer enclosure walls. Bakong is the largest monument of Angkor's Roluos Group.<br/><br/> The central part of Bakong rests on the artificial mound representing Mount Meru. This mound is surrounded by eight large brick towers.
Quanzhou was established in 718 during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). In those days, Guangzhou was China's greatest seaport, but this status would be surpassed later by Quanzhou. During the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368), Quanzhou was one of the world's largest seaports, hosting a large community of foreign-born inhabitants from across the Eurasian world.<br/><br/> Due to its reputation, Quanzhou has been called the starting point of the Silk Road via the sea. From the Arabic name form of the city, Zayton, the word satin would be minted. In The Travels of Marco Polo, Quanzhou (called Zayton, T'swan-Chau or Chin-Cheu) was listed as the departure point for Marco Polo's expedition to escort the 17-year-old Mongol princess bride Kököchin to her new husband in the Persian Ilkhanate.
Quanzhou was established in 718 during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). In those days, Guangzhou was China's greatest seaport, but this status would be surpassed later by Quanzhou. During the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368), Quanzhou was one of the world's largest seaports, hosting a large community of foreign-born inhabitants from across the Eurasian world.<br/><br/> Due to its reputation, Quanzhou has been called the starting point of the Silk Road via the sea. From the Arabic name form of the city, Zayton, the word satin would be minted. In The Travels of Marco Polo, Quanzhou (called Zayton, T'swan-Chau or Chin-Cheu) was listed as the departure point for Marco Polo's expedition to escort the 17-year-old Mongol princess bride Kököchin to her new husband in the Persian Ilkhanate.
Quanzhou was established in 718 during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). In those days, Guangzhou was China's greatest seaport, but this status would be surpassed later by Quanzhou. During the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368), Quanzhou was one of the world's largest seaports, hosting a large community of foreign-born inhabitants from across the Eurasian world.<br/><br/> Due to its reputation, Quanzhou has been called the starting point of the Silk Road via the sea. From the Arabic name form of the city, Zayton, the word satin would be minted. In The Travels of Marco Polo, Quanzhou (called Zayton, T'swan-Chau or Chin-Cheu) was listed as the departure point for Marco Polo's expedition to escort the 17-year-old Mongol princess bride Kököchin to her new husband in the Persian Ilkhanate.
Quanzhou was established in 718 during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). In those days, Guangzhou was China's greatest seaport, but this status would be surpassed later by Quanzhou. During the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368), Quanzhou was one of the world's largest seaports, hosting a large community of foreign-born inhabitants from across the Eurasian world.<br/><br/> Due to its reputation, Quanzhou has been called the starting point of the Silk Road via the sea. From the Arabic name form of the city, Zayton, the word satin would be minted. In The Travels of Marco Polo, Quanzhou (called Zayton, T'swan-Chau or Chin-Cheu) was listed as the departure point for Marco Polo's expedition to escort the 17-year-old Mongol princess bride Kököchin to her new husband in the Persian Ilkhanate.
Quanzhou was established in 718 during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). In those days, Guangzhou was China's greatest seaport, but this status would be surpassed later by Quanzhou. During the Song Dynasty (960–1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368), Quanzhou was one of the world's largest seaports, hosting a large community of foreign-born inhabitants from across the Eurasian world.<br/><br/> Due to its reputation, Quanzhou has been called the starting point of the Silk Road via the sea. From the Arabic name form of the city, Zayton, the word satin would be minted. In The Travels of Marco Polo, Quanzhou (called Zayton, T'swan-Chau or Chin-Cheu) was listed as the departure point for Marco Polo's expedition to escort the 17-year-old Mongol princess bride Kököchin to her new husband in the Persian Ilkhanate.
The wholesale purity of heroin, whether processed in the Shan State of Burma, Laos, or Thailand, ranges from 85 to 95 percent pure. Among wholesale heroin trafficking groups in the Golden Triangle, the heroin unit is never adulterated or otherwise altered as it is passed from one group to another.<br/><br/> These wholesale units remain in their original high-purity form, packaged in the original plastic. A typical unit of Southeast Asian heroin is produced in a compressed brick form at numerous heroin refineries in the Shan State of Burma. A 700-gram brick is approximately 6-inches long, 4-inches wide, and 1 inch thick; it is white in color, and is very hard. The brick is typically enclosed in a heat-sealed clear plastic bag with a unique logo stamped on the bag.<br/><br/> The best-known and most widely used logo is the Double UOGlobe, otherwise known as the 'Double Lion' brand. Most Southeast Asian heroin is about 90-percent pure at the refineries; sometimes higher with experienced heroin chemists and good-quality chemicals. No deterioration or adulteration should be expected at the delivery point in Northern Thailand.
Prasat Sikhoraphum is a Khmer Hindu temple built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (r. 1113 - 1150).<br/><br/> Prasat Sikhoraphum dates from the early 12th century and has been beautifully restored. It consists of five brick prangs on a square laterite platform surrounded by lily-filled ponds. The lintel and pillars of the central prang are beautifully carved with heavenly dancing girls, or apsara, and other scenes from Hindu mythology.
Prasat Sikhoraphum is a Khmer Hindu temple built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (r. 1113 - 1150).<br/><br/> Prasat Sikhoraphum dates from the early 12th century and has been beautifully restored. It consists of five brick prangs on a square laterite platform surrounded by lily-filled ponds. The lintel and pillars of the central prang are beautifully carved with heavenly dancing girls, or apsara, and other scenes from Hindu mythology.
Prasat Sikhoraphum is a Khmer Hindu temple built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (r. 1113 - 1150).<br/><br/> Prasat Sikhoraphum dates from the early 12th century and has been beautifully restored. It consists of five brick prangs on a square laterite platform surrounded by lily-filled ponds. The lintel and pillars of the central prang are beautifully carved with heavenly dancing girls, or apsara, and other scenes from Hindu mythology.
Prasat Sikhoraphum is a Khmer Hindu temple built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (r. 1113 - 1150).<br/><br/> Prasat Sikhoraphum dates from the early 12th century and has been beautifully restored. It consists of five brick prangs on a square laterite platform surrounded by lily-filled ponds. The lintel and pillars of the central prang are beautifully carved with heavenly dancing girls, or apsara, and other scenes from Hindu mythology.
Preah Ko (The ‘sacred bull’) was built by King Indravarman I (877-889), and was a Hindu temple dedicated to the worship of Shiva and constructed in memory of Indravarman’s parents and an earlier king, Jayavarman II, the founder of Roluos.<br/><br/> The main sanctuary of Preah Ko consists of six brick towers set on a low laterite platform. Formerly each tower would have contained an image of a Hindu deity, but these have long since disappeared.
Preah Ko (The ‘sacred bull’) was built by King Indravarman I (877-889), and was a Hindu temple dedicated to the worship of Shiva and constructed in memory of Indravarman’s parents and an earlier king, Jayavarman II, the founder of Roluos.<br/><br/> The main sanctuary of Preah Ko consists of six brick towers set on a low laterite platform. Formerly each tower would have contained an image of a Hindu deity, but these have long since disappeared.
Preah Ko (The ‘sacred bull’) was built by King Indravarman I (877-889), and was a Hindu temple dedicated to the worship of Shiva and constructed in memory of Indravarman’s parents and an earlier king, Jayavarman II, the founder of Roluos.<br/><br/> The main sanctuary of Preah Ko consists of six brick towers set on a low laterite platform. Formerly each tower would have contained an image of a Hindu deity, but these have long since disappeared.
Preah Ko (The ‘sacred bull’) was built by King Indravarman I (877-889), and was a Hindu temple dedicated to the worship of Shiva and constructed in memory of Indravarman’s parents and an earlier king, Jayavarman II, the founder of Roluos.<br/><br/> The main sanctuary of Preah Ko consists of six brick towers set on a low laterite platform. Formerly each tower would have contained an image of a Hindu deity, but these have long since disappeared.
The Tea Horse Road (Cha Ma Dao) was a network of mule caravan paths winding through the mountains of Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet in Southwest China.<br/><br/> It is also sometimes referred to as the Southern Silk Road and Ancient Tea and Horse Road. From around a thousand years ago, the Ancient Tea Route was a trade link from Yunnan, one of the first tea-producing regions, to India via Burma, to Tibet, and to central China via Sichuan Province. In addition to tea, the mule caravans carried salt.<br/><br/> It is believed that it was through this trading network that tea (typically tea bricks) first spread across China and Asia from its presumed origins in Pu'er county, near Simao Prefecture in Yunnan.
Edwin Lord Weeks (1849 – 1903), American artist and Orientalist, was born at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1849. He was a pupil of Léon Bonnat and of Jean-Léon Gérôme, at Paris. He made many voyages to the East, and was distinguished as a painter of oriental scenes.<br/><br> Weeks' parents were affluent spice and tea merchants from Newton, a suburb of Boston and as such they were able to accept, probably encourage, and certainly finance their son's youthful interest in painting and travelling.<br/><br> As a young man Edwin Lord Weeks visited the Florida Keys to draw and also travelled to Surinam in South America. His earliest known paintings date from 1867 when Edwin Lord Weeks was eighteen years old. In 1895 he wrote and illustrated a book of travels, From the Black Sea through Persia and India.
Prasat Sikhoraphum is a Khmer Hindu temple built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (r. 1113 - 1150).<br/><br/> Prasat Sikhoraphum dates from the early 12th century and has been beautifully restored. It consists of five brick prangs on a square laterite platform surrounded by lily-filled ponds. The lintel and pillars of the central prang are beautifully carved with heavenly dancing girls, or apsara, and other scenes from Hindu mythology.
Prasat Sikhoraphum is a Khmer Hindu temple built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (r. 1113 - 1150).<br/><br/> Prasat Sikhoraphum dates from the early 12th century and has been beautifully restored. It consists of five brick prangs on a square laterite platform surrounded by lily-filled ponds. The lintel and pillars of the central prang are beautifully carved with heavenly dancing girls, or apsara, and other scenes from Hindu mythology.
Prasat Sikhoraphum is a Khmer Hindu temple built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (r. 1113 - 1150).<br/><br/> Prasat Sikhoraphum dates from the early 12th century and has been beautifully restored. It consists of five brick prangs on a square laterite platform surrounded by lily-filled ponds. The lintel and pillars of the central prang are beautifully carved with heavenly dancing girls, or apsara, and other scenes from Hindu mythology.
Prasat Sikhoraphum is a Khmer Hindu temple built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (r. 1113 - 1150).<br/><br/> Prasat Sikhoraphum dates from the early 12th century and has been beautifully restored. It consists of five brick prangs on a square laterite platform surrounded by lily-filled ponds. The lintel and pillars of the central prang are beautifully carved with heavenly dancing girls, or apsara, and other scenes from Hindu mythology.
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang (วัดพระธาตุลำปางหลวง), the ‘Temple of the Great Buddha Relic of Lampang’, dates back to the 15th century and is a wooden Lanna-style temple found in the Ko Kha district of Lampang Province. It stands atop an artificial mound, and is surrounded by a high and massive brick wall. The temple itself doubles as a wiang (fortified settlement), and was built as a fortified temple.
Wannian Si (Long Life Temple) dates originally from the 4th century CE, but underwent major reconstruction in the 9th century. However, only one building remains from the Ming Dynasty (1601), the Brick Hall. This is the oldest temple on the mountain.<br/><br/> At 3,099 metres (10,167 ft), Mt. Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. The patron bodhisattva of Emei is Samantabhadra, known in Chinese as Puxian. 16th and 17th century sources allude to the practice of martial arts in the monasteries of Mount Emei.
Wannian Si (Long Life Temple) dates originally from the 4th century CE, but underwent major reconstruction in the 9th century. However, only one building remains from the Ming Dynasty (1601), the Brick Hall. This is the oldest temple on the mountain.<br/><br/> At 3,099 metres (10,167 ft), Mt. Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. The patron bodhisattva of Emei is Samantabhadra, known in Chinese as Puxian. 16th and 17th century sources allude to the practice of martial arts in the monasteries of Mount Emei.
Wannian Si (Long Life Temple) dates originally from the 4th century CE, but underwent major reconstruction in the 9th century. However, only one building remains from the Ming Dynasty (1601), the Brick Hall. This is the oldest temple on the mountain.<br/><br/> At 3,099 metres (10,167 ft), Mt. Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. The patron bodhisattva of Emei is Samantabhadra, known in Chinese as Puxian. 16th and 17th century sources allude to the practice of martial arts in the monasteries of Mount Emei.
Wannian Si (Long Life Temple) dates originally from the 4th century CE, but underwent major reconstruction in the 9th century. However, only one building remains from the Ming Dynasty (1601), the Brick Hall. This is the oldest temple on the mountain.<br/><br/> At 3,099 metres (10,167 ft), Mt. Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. The patron bodhisattva of Emei is Samantabhadra, known in Chinese as Puxian. 16th and 17th century sources allude to the practice of martial arts in the monasteries of Mount Emei.
Wannian Si (Long Life Temple) dates originally from the 4th century CE, but underwent major reconstruction in the 9th century. However, only one building remains from the Ming Dynasty (1601), the Brick Hall. This is the oldest temple on the mountain.<br/><br/> At 3,099 metres (10,167 ft), Mt. Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. The patron bodhisattva of Emei is Samantabhadra, known in Chinese as Puxian. 16th and 17th century sources allude to the practice of martial arts in the monasteries of Mount Emei.
Bodhisattva Puxian (the man on the white elephant) also known as Samantabhadra, is the protector of Mount Emei). Samantabhadra is a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism associated with Buddhist practice and meditation. In China he is associated with action.<br/><br/> Wannian Si (Long Life Temple) dates originally from the 4th century CE, but underwent major reconstruction in the 9th century. However, only one building remains from the Ming Dynasty (1601), the Brick Hall. This is the oldest temple on the mountain.<br/><br/> At 3,099 metres (10,167 ft), Mt. Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. The patron bodhisattva of Emei is Samantabhadra, known in Chinese as Puxian. 16th and 17th century sources allude to the practice of martial arts in the monasteries of Mount Emei.
Most tea bricks or zhuancha are from Southern Yunnan and parts of Sichuan Province. Tea bricks are made primarily from the broad leaf 'Dayeh' Camellia Assamica tea plant. Tea leaves have been packed in wooden moulds and pressed into block form. A one pound brick which is scored on the back can be broken into eight smaller pieces. In times past these smaller pieces of brick tea could also be used as a kind of currency.