Old, abandoned locations left to the mercy of nature can appear quite eerie. Among these are ancient temples that have stood for centuries at the edge of majestic mountains. But do they always look so forlorn? Take a look at ElNakix’s Minecraft creation, “The Lost Temple of Jinxai.” I doubt anyone would describe this structure as creepy; it is simply breathtaking, exuding an air of mystery that seems beyond human comprehension. These ruins could easily rank among the most intriguing and sought-after builds in Minecraft Bedrock 2019!
“I drew inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture, but not from any specific temple,” ElNakix explains. “Rather, it’s about the characteristics and shapes typically found in these temples.”
“I started with the landscape,” says ElNakix. The temple is nestled between two massive cliffs, providing solid protection against enemy attacks. Equally important are the various plants covering it, which may cause the temple to be lost for many years, as it becomes nearly indistinguishable from the green forests and moss-covered rocks surrounding it.
“After finishing the first part, I moved on to the temple itself, starting from the center and gradually expanding outward until its walls touched the cliffs,” ElNakix shares. “I repeated this process several times until the structure reached the desired height. Later, I refined it by adding a couple of pagoda towers.”
Once the temple was complete, it was time to work on the abandoned boat gently drifting through the emerald waters—a stunning aspect of the project that wasn’t even part of the original plan.
“The idea to build a ship came almost immediately after I began working on the project,” ElNakix reveals. Initially, he planned to create multiple boats, but later decided against cluttering the build with numerous small structures. According to ElNakix, constructing even this single ship proved more challenging than he had anticipated.
“I felt a bit uncertain and intimidated about the ship because I had previously attempted something similar in Minecraft with an Eastern theme, and unfortunately, the result was rather disappointing,” admits ElNakix. “But this time, I’m very pleased with the outcome.”
Everything looks incredibly realistic! I particularly appreciate the small holes in the sails, indicating that this ship has been neglected for many years. It’s great that those details caught my eye since the sails were the most difficult part, but it was worth it—the result appears astonishingly lifelike.
Moreover, if you glance quickly, you might miss one detail. “A feature I really like, although not everyone will notice it, is the wake left by the ship on the water; behind it, the lily pads parted ways, leaving clear water.” 
Indeed, I would never have noticed that wake. It makes me wonder how many unremarkable yet noteworthy details we might overlook in all the Minecraft Pocket Edition builds…
ElNakix states that everything in the build was done correctly, adhering to real temples, which is why it took him so long to finalize the project. For instance, he added vegetation and waterfalls to the front of the structure while simultaneously destroying some parts to give the impression of a place abandoned for many years. Dismantling already constructed elements is a risky endeavor, especially considering that you must first design and build them before tearing down what you’ve worked hard on.
However, ElNakix doesn’t mind. “I believe these little details ultimately define good work,” he explains. His favorite aspect of the waterfall is how it splits into two smaller streams before rejoining in a pool at the bottom. “Instead of using water blocks, I used white tinted glass to mimic the foam created when water hits the rocks.” A fantastic tip for anyone looking to create realistic water features themselves, showcasing another way to use ordinary blocks creatively.
“Some people don’t bother with the finer details, but I think they hold immense significance in creating any project,” ElNakix asserts. This has been his motto throughout the entire process, as his goal was to achieve “the most realistic result possible.” I believe he certainly succeeded in his mission.
Just imagine lying at the edge of the ship, sunlight dancing on the water, while gentle waves rock the vessel, lulling you into the sweetest slumber. Of course, living in an abandoned temple far from civilization isn’t exactly ideal, but who cares when everything around you looks so serene?
