今天是2004年大年初九，天气难得的好，使人真正感觉到了春天的气息。于是，我和爸爸妈妈决定一起就近出行，前往家乡附近的保国寺。
Today is the ninth day of the lunar new year in 2004. The weather is rare and good, which makes people really feel the breath of spring. So my parents and I decided to travel together to Baoguo temple near our hometown.
保国寺位于宁波北部灵山山腰之上，始建于东汉，现存大殿距今已整整991年。这在南国算是现存最为古远的一处佛家胜地了。据记载，保国寺原名“灵山寺”，原本是为了纪念当时的一对功勋卓着、隐居灵山后又广施义德的骠骑将军。后改作此名，更能体现这一纪念意义了。所在的灵山，葳蕤秀美，现在已经是周围市民休闲游玩的绝好去处了。
Baoguo temple is located on the hillside of Lingshan mountain in the north of Ningbo. It was built in the Eastern Han Dynasty. The existing main hall has been 991 years ago. This is the most ancient Buddhist resort in the south. According to records, the original name of Baoguo temple was "Lingshan Temple", which was originally to commemorate a pair of cavalry generals at that time who were outstanding in meritorious service, who lived in seclusion in Lingshan and widely used righteousness. Later changed to this name, more can reflect this commemorative significance. The Lingshan mountain, with its beautiful scenery, is now the best place for the surrounding citizens to have leisure.
去往保国寺的车程其实只有20分钟左右，但因为我们出发得较晚，所以下车时已是下午1点多了。加之春节假期已经结束，因而游人不多，我们正好细细领略山寺的幽静和神秘了。
It's only about 20 minutes to Baoguo temple, but we got off late, so it was more than 1 p.m. In addition, the Spring Festival holiday is over, so there are not many tourists. We are just enjoying the quiet and mystery of the temple.
进了山门，一路拾级而上，人仿佛陷入了绿阴之中。这对我们曾经久居北国的人来说，实在是难得的新奇。北方的春节，山已是萧条得很了，草啊树啊全都是枯黄一片，少了生气。但此刻身处此地，使人恍如已是春意浓郁了。加上路上不时可以看见开得黄灿灿的几株迎春花、含苞欲放的腊梅，真是有了几分“红杏枝头春意闹”的意境。
After entering the mountain gate, people seem to fall into the green shade. This is a rare novelty for those of us who have lived in the northern kingdom for a long time. In the Spring Festival in the north, the mountain has been very depressed. The grass and trees are all withered and yellow. There is less anger. But being here at the moment makes people feel as if they are full of spring. In addition, from time to time on the road, we can see several blooming winter jasmine flowers and budding wintersweet, which really has the artistic conception of "spring in Apricot Branches".
保国寺的自然风光十分秀美，所有景点都缺少气势，但却秀气得可爱。比如山下的“灵龙泉”吧，其实只是一股涓涓细流，但设计者在泉边加上一只“龙头”，让泉水从龙嘴之中“吐”出，就颇有一番趣味了。再如山腰的“毛竹园”，其实只是在满山杂木间点缀了一片南国常见的毛竹而已，但与周围的树木那么相互映衬一下，就可见它的独特风味了。一路上移步换景，每处似乎都有让人忍不住拿出相机取景留念的所在，虽小巧但又不失雅趣，实在是不可多得。
The natural scenery of Baoguo temple is very beautiful. All the scenic spots lack momentum, but they are lovely. For example, the "linglongquan" at the foot of the mountain is just a trickle, but the designer added a "faucet" beside the spring to let the spring "spit" out of the dragon mouth, which is quite interesting. Another example is the "bamboo garden" on the hillside. In fact, it's just a piece of bamboo which is common in the south. However, it's unique flavor can be seen from the contrast with the surrounding trees. Along the way, every place seems to have a place where people can't help taking out their cameras to take pictures for souvenirs. Although it's small, it's also elegant, which is really rare.
但保国寺毕竟是我国第一批重点文物保护单位，其中的文化旨趣、人文内涵当然是我们浏览的重点。像保国寺大殿后的“一碧涵空”池，真的是尽收周围山色风光；水波荡漾处，似乎照得见古代香客的身影了。还有寺里的钟鼓，现在已经成为了游人花钱娱乐的工具，但声声钟鼓悠扬，又怎么不让人发思古之幽情呢？再有就是“中华历史遗迹展”，荟萃了长城、兵马俑、黄山、庐山等中华悠久历史上创造的人文景观和自然风光；虽说人工雕琢的痕迹太浓，但却着实给游人们了解中华灿烂文化的一处小小园地呢。
However, Baoguo temple is the first batch of key cultural relics protection units in China, of which the cultural purport and cultural connotation are certainly the focus of our browsing. Like the "Yibi hankong" pool behind the main hall of Baoguo temple, it really has a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains; the ancient pilgrims can be seen in the rippling water. There are also bells and drums in the temple, which have now become a tool for tourists to spend money on entertainment. However, the melodious sound of bells and drums makes people think about the ancient love? Then there is the "exhibition of Chinese historical sites", which gathers the cultural landscapes and natural scenery created in the long history of China, such as the Great Wall, terra cotta warriors, Huangshan Mountain and Lushan Mountain. Although the traces of artificial carving are too thick, it really gives visitors a small garden to understand the splendid culture of China.
离开保国寺时，已是下午4点多了。尽管我们在保国寺逗留的时间不长，但收获和感受却是不少啊！
When I left Baoguo temple, it was more than 4 p.m. Although we haven't been in Baoguo temple for a long time, we have gained a lot!