One of the most extraordinary places I have ever visited was a Buddhist "VIP temple" outside Nanjing in eastern China. I was only allowed to enter it because I was taking pictures on behalf of the company that designed the lights for the temple. A driver took me and my Chinese contact to the site of the temple. "Nanjing Nioushoushan Culture Parks" was still under construction. At the top of the hill centrally located in the park, we accompanied two watchmen inside a huge dome-shaped building, in which a temple will be opened in the future.
An elevator swept us down six floors into the mountain. We walked through labyrinthine underground corridors, at the end of which a heavy steel door opened. The sight of the luxurious temple room almost took my breath away. The room was not very large, but nevertheless I suddenly felt very small. Hesitantly I noticed that this room would probably only be open to very rich people. My Chinese companion replied: "Money does not open these doors. "This place is only for the most powerful members of Chinese society." The temple was built by the Chinese government for high-ranking politicians and members of the military. After a few minutes we had to leave again. With a loud click, the steel doors closed behind us. We were led back to the elevator. Outside it was already night.
Translated by Jess Smee