Zen cultural exchange center unveiled in Guilin

The unveiling ceremony of the Guilin Zen Cultural Exchange Center kicked off at Qixia Temple in Guilin, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on May 19. It is expected to help deepen the cultural communication and exchanges between China and ASEAN countries, especially the countries in the Mekong River Basin. 

Guilin, a city hailed for having "the best landscape under heaven", is a scenic town and one of the best-known tourist destinations in China. The Guilin Zen Cultural Exchange Center offers visitors an important platform to strengthen cooperation in culture and tourism for China and countries in the Mekong River Basin, according to Chairat Porntipwarawet, Consul General of Thailand in Nanning.

Thailand, which is rich in Buddhist culture, boasts an enticing landscape and attractive warm climate all year round. The establishment of the cultural exchange center is expected to push forward the friendship between China and Thailand, as well as a great chance to promote exchanges and mutual learning in Buddhist and Zen culture between Guilin and Thailand, said Chairat Porntipwarawet. 

Qixia Temple, which has a history of more than 1,300 years, is situated under Putuo Mountain. It is a gathering place for ancient Chinese scholars and literati, leaving behind various cultural heritages spanning different periods, said Master Qian Ze, vice-chairman of the Buddhist Association of Guilin.

He added that Zen, a Chinese strain of Buddhism, presents visitors with a reason to get away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life and experience a slower pace of life. The Guilin Zen Cultural Exchange Center will provide a boost in the spreading of Zen culture, bringing in closer and more frequent communication between China and ASEAN countries.