From the strawberry farms, Bernard, Rodel, Jandy and I proceeded to the Bell Church. Right before the Welcome Arch of La Trinidad, we espied, on a hillside, a cluster of ornate Chinese-style temples and pagodas. On the right, we entered a large arch with 2 dragons facing each other, then traversed a narrow alley leading up to the temple. Once inside, we parked the Revo at a spacious parking lot alongside a terraced wall filled with Chinese prints.
Bell Church |
The terraced wall filled with Chinese prints |
Built by the early Chinese settlers in Baguio and Benguet, this temple is run by the Bell Church Inc. that believes in a amalgam of Buddhist, Taoist, Confusian and Christian doctrines. The church, guarded by fu dogs, has ornate gateways topped by ephemeral dragons, a towering pagoda with curliqued roofing, windows guarded by stone Buddhas and bells.
Rodel and Jandy posing beside a Chinese deity |
Bell Church: Km. 3, Brgy. Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet. Open 6 AM-5 PM.