Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone

Background

The Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone lies in the Nanshan area of Sanya's Yazhou District, Hainan, about 40 kilometres southwest of the city, and is a national AAAAA tourist attraction. It consists of three parts, the Buddhist Culture Park, the Blessing and Longevity Park and the Hainan folk culture park, with tropical gardens running down to the coast; the Gate of Non-duality stands in the Blessing and Longevity Park. Nanshan Temple was completed in 1998 and covers about 40,000 square metres; it is said to include Tang-style replica buildings. The Guanyin statue in the sea is 108 metres tall and has three faces, each looking in a different direction; it was completed in 2005. The temple also holds a Golden Jade Guanyin about 3.8 metres tall, reportedly made of gold, diamonds, jade and other precious materials, using more than 100 kilograms of gold.

Local customs

• Walk from the Gate of Non-duality to Nanshan Temple, then follow the seaside promenade to the foot of the Guanyin statue to see the three faces against the South China Sea
• visit the Hainan folk culture park to learn about Li, Miao and other ethnic cultures
• the park's vegetarian food, made with wild mushrooms, is well known and worth a meal.

Travel tips

• The park is large, so the internal sightseeing shuttle is recommended
• allow about half a day at a relaxed pace. Check the official information for admission and shuttle prices. Summers are hot and humid, so bring sun protection, water and insect repellent
• there are many steps, so wear flat shoes.
• The park is about 40 kilometres southwest of central Sanya
• several bus routes run to the Nanshan or Nanshan Temple stops, or you can take a taxi, and shuttles link the sights inside. You can visit all year round
• winter is the most comfortable, summer is rainy, hot and humid, and in typhoon season you should check the official opening notices.