Nanshan Buddhism Center: Journey into Chinese Culture

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

One of China's most popular attractions is located on Hainan Island. Nanshan Buddhism Center, located near the city of Sanya, is a famous tourist complex. An ancient temple has been restored on its territory and a landscape park has been laid out, giving visitors peace and harmony.

Nanshan Temple

A sacred place for all Buddhists is dedicated to Guanyin, the most revered goddess. An ancient legend has been passed down from generation to generation, according to which a small ship once wrecked at this place, and 12 monks who miraculously escaped built a temple here as a token of gratitude.

Nanshan Buddhism Center is a huge complex surrounded by green park, located on the territory of 50 square kilometers. For the convenience of tourists, openelectric cars that stop at every attraction. Transportation tickets are valid all day long and visitors can get on and off at their convenience, making it easy to get around the giant complex in the sweltering heat.

Gate of Enlightenment

Entrance to Nanshan Buddhism Center, photos of which convey its exotic beauty, is through the Gate of Heaven. They are decorated with two hieroglyphs inscribed by the country's oldest calligrapher, which represent two important concepts - unity and non-duality. According to Buddhist philosophy, in order to achieve enlightenment, one must pass through this gate. There is also the so-called happiness gong, which all visitors standing in line beat three times, calling for good luck, we alth and prosperity.

Merciful Liberation Park

Walking through the picturesque park, called the Merciful Liberation, you can get to the Longevity Valley through the alley dedicated to the centenarians of the peninsula. Red ribbons with golden hieroglyphs are tied everywhere - wishes of love, happiness and other blessings. Especially for tourists from Russia, there are signs with translations at points selling shreds of fabric. Every guest who visits the Nanshan Buddhism Center ties ribbons to statues or trees, and no one takes them off. It is believed that the gods always fulfill their cherished desires.

Built in the classical Chinese style, the park with bamboo thickets and pretty gazebos resembles a paradise where it is so nice to meditate and relax from the bustle of the city.

Alley of centenarians

On the picturesque alley there are stands with photographs of people who have reached the age of 100, as well as excerpts from interviews with them. Everyone will be able to learn their secrets, which are an active lifestyle, proper nutrition, communication with loved ones. The fact is that on the island, where they treat the elderly very respectfully, there are a large number of people over 80 and 90 years old. An interesting festival is held once every two years, where centenarians are publicly congratulated and presented with gifts.

Everyone will be able to climb to the top of the mountain by a staircase with ten thousand steps. The hill offers stunning views of the rainforest and the giant statue of the goddess. In the Longevity Valley, tourists come across a sculptural composition consisting of three turtles, symbolizing family happiness with children and grandchildren, respect for old age and peace.

Temple in honor of the goddess of mercy

The colorful center of Nanshan Buddhism, opened 18 years ago, is famous for its luxurious temple, where a golden statue of the eight-armed goddess of mercy is installed. Having reached perfection, the caring and compassionate Guanyin, who did not want to go into nirvana, begged the gods for happiness for people and saved them from various disasters and troubles.

The tall statue of the goddess is made of 140 kg of pure gold and encrusted with precious stones, the total weight of which exceeds 400 carats. For believers, the main relic is a piece of the ashes of the Buddha himself, stored inside the statue. The walls of the temple are filled with small cells, where miniatureimages of the goddess left by tourists and believers. By the way, each visitor will be able to purchase a figure, on the plate of which his name will be engraved, however, he will not be able to take it with him, since a copy must remain in the temple.

Next to the structure is a gigantic jug carved in stone filled with rainwater. At its base there is a container in which goldfish swim, and tourists are happy to feed them with rice. An old legend tells that water will pour out of the vessel and cleanse the earth only when all wars in the world stop. Buddhists believe that such a day will come soon.

Guanyin statue on an artificial island

The end point of the route is an artificial island, in the center of which stands a bronze statue of the goddess. Two of her faces look at the South China Sea, and one is turned to people. The height of the Guanyin sculpture is 108 meters (this number is considered sacred in China).

Believers who came from different parts of the world to Nanshan, the center of Buddhism, touch the gilded lotus petals on which the great goddess rests. At the foot of the statue weighing 2,600 tons, there is an elegant temple with special stands where red ribbons with wishes are attached.

Nanshan Buddhism Center: how to get there

Those who want to visit a local attraction on their own must first get to the city of Sanya. You can get from Moscow to the resort with transfers, and the flightoperated from Sheremetyevo Airport.

Further to get to the Nanshan Temple, open from 8:00 to 18:00, it is not difficult: buses number 25 and 29 run at the international tourism center, which will take you to the final stop in an hour - the largest Buddhist complex in Asia.

Also, you can purchase a guided tour, which price (about 65 euros) includes: round-trip transfer, guided walk and tickets for an electric car.

Visitor reviews

Tourists who visited the temple admit that they felt a surge of strength and were cleansed of negativity. A tour of the Buddhist center is a journey into the history and culture of China. Here everyone is imbued with an interest in a philosophy that preaches peace and respect for man. A visit to a sacred place that gives peace and tranquility heals the soul, and after a fascinating trip it becomes surprisingly light and joyful in the heart.