One day before taking their first university entrance exam, thousands of students set out for the Temperature of Literature on July 3.
Almost all of them burnt incense and tried to touch the doctor steles, which sit on the backs of stone turtles, with a hope of attaining a bit of good luck to pass one of the most important exams they will take.
In order to prevent exam contestants from rushing haphazardly to touch the steles, the temple’s management board made a ribbon barrier around the area. Despite the efforts of guards and student volunteers, however, several hopeful students persisted in trying to touch the turtles’ heads in different ways.
Hundreds wait in line
"Pilgrimage”
A contestant writes her name and exam registration number
Some students neglect the rules
Praying for a good luck
Parents stressed before the exam
Student volunteers join in protecting steles
Other students proceeded in an orderly way
Violators
In hope of fortune
Exam takers buy small prayers: "Luck", or "Pass the Exam"
Student volunteers guide their peers
