---
author:
    email: mail@petermolnar.net
    image: https://petermolnar.net/favicon.jpg
    name: Peter Molnar
    url: https://petermolnar.net
copies:
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/36003160@N08/28066229656
- http://web.archive.org/web/20160709135536/https://petermolnar.net/elephant-bathing-pool-xixiangchi-monastery/
- https://pmlnr.tumblr.com/post/671098507796578304/elephant-bathing-pool-xixiangchi-monastery
lang: en
published: '2016-07-05T08:00:04+00:00'
tags:
- Sichuan
- monkey
- Xixiangchi
- monastery
- peace
- Tibetan Macaque
- Mount Emei
- China
- 洗象池
- 峨眉山
title: Elephant Bathing Pool - Xixiangchi Monastery

---

![](elephant-bathing-pool-xixiangchi-monastery.jpg)

According to the legend, this was the spot where Samantabhadra stopped
his elephant to have a rest in a pool on his way to the mountain top -
thus the name.

Imagine an ancient monastery, with only a handful a people, up in the
clouds, with red walls and forgotten silence. Imagine monkeys slowly
taking over it, sitting all around on the irregular walls, next to slant
walls, playing, and waiting for people to come.

I never really thought places like this exist, but they do.