Nanshan Temple

Situated 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Sanya City, Hainan Province, the Nanshan (South Mountain) Temple ranks as one of the attractions in the Nanshan Culture Tourism Zone. Occupying an area of 400 mu (66 acres), it is the biggest Buddhist preaching site established since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Nestling at the foot of Nanshan (South Mountain) Mountain (an auspicious region famous for Chinese Buddhist culture with emphasis on longevity-happiness), the temple was completed on 12 April, 1998, the 2,000th anniversary year of Buddhism coming to China.

With its total floor space of 40,000 sq meters (10 acres), Nanshan Temple boasts several replicas of Tang Dynasty (618-907) architecture. The Renwang Gate (Mountain Gate), the entrance to the temple, has two figures of Buddha standing there as guards. As well, seven Buddhist figures are enshrined in the Doushuai Adytum (or Hall). The Maitreya Buddha (Sanskrit, Mile in Chinese) is in the middle of the Hall with two Bodhisattvas on each side. Around these three Buddhist images stand the Four Heavenly Kings, who act as Buddhist guardians with duties to protect all living creatures and to bring favorable weather and ample harvest. From the Doushuai Adytum, a porch brings visitors to Jin Tang, also called in the time of the Tang Dynasty, Daxiongbaodian (Hall of Ceremony). Here are enshrined the three main Buddha images: the Sakyamuni, the Bhaisajyaguru (Chinese Yaoshiwang) and the Amitabha (Chinese Amituo). These two halls comprise the main parts of the Temple.

In addition, there are some other enchanting sights in Nanshan Temple:

The Golden Jade Kwan-yin Statue

This amazing national treasure is a 3.8-meter（13-feet) high Golden Jade Kwan-yin Statue. It is covered with 100 kg (221 pounds) of gold and silver, embedded with 120 carats of South African diamonds plus countless jewels, and containing two sacred Buddhist relics.

Sea Watch Terrace

Just in front of the Nanshan Temple is a terrace directly facing the South China Sea, from which visitors can admire the vast seascape and meanwhile view the spectacular 108-meter (354-feet) high copper statue of the South China Sea Kwan-yin Bodhisattva.

Nanshan Temple is a comparatively new temple which combines Buddhist culture, garden architectures, and recreational facilities with the spirit of peace, tranquility, happiness and harmony. And it must be a wise choice for visitors who wish to pay their respects to Buddhist culture while traveling in Sanya.

Tips: The vegetarian food in Nanshan Temple is very famous, including many nutritious dishes made of wild fungus, konjak, and bean products.

Tainya Haijiao

Tianya Haijiao, a romantic and beautiful scenic spot, lies to the west of Sanya City, Hainan Province. It receives many visitors from home and abroad every year since its open in 1988. It also attracts thousands of young lovers from every corner of the world to hold their wedding ceremonies here.

Tianya Haijiao means 'the furthermost part of the sky and the sea' in Chinese, suggesting an unattainable place. In the past, Chinese people believed that the sky was square and the earth was round. Therefore there was definitely a furthermost part of the sky and the earth. Hainan Province, the southernmost part of China, was believed to be the location of Tianya Haijiao.

The Tianya Haijiao Scenic Spot sits on Maling Mountain facing the sea. Walking along the seashore, you will see a stone carved with four characters Nan Tian Yi Zhu, which means 'a pillar standing in the southern part of the sky' in Chinese. The story goes that when the local fishermen's daily life was affected by terrible storms, and they could hardly catch the fish, two kind-hearted fairy maidens transformed themselves into two large stones and stood on the beach to shelter the fishermen. From that time fishermen were safe from storms whenever they went to sea. But the maiden's master, the Mother Goddess of Heaven, was so furious that she dispatched the Thunder God to drag them back to Heaven. The two maidens refused, so the Thunder God broke them in two. One of them was thrown into the sea and the other one was left here. Near the remaining one lies another stone carved with the Chinese characters Hai Pan Nan Tian, which means 'the sea and the sky joined together'. It is the oldest stone inscription to be found here.

Walking on for a further 500 meters (1600 feet), you will see a stone carved with the characters of Tianya and another stone carved with the characters of Haijiao. There is a romantic Romeo and Juliet story about these two stones. In ancient times, two young lovers eloped when their parents disapproved of their marriage. Unfortunately, when they arrived in Hainan, agents, sent by their parents, were also there. Facing the sea, they had no escape. They were so sad that they just held each other as they jumped into the sea. Suddenly, there was a thunderstorm. They were hit by lightning and changed into two stones, with the agents turned into many smaller stones around. Now people regard these two stones as symbols of eternal and faithful love. Because of this beautiful and romantic story many young lovers choose this place for their wedding ceremony.

Besides the three stones, modern facilities can be found such as a Shopping Center, the Li Ethnic Group Village and a Celebrity Sculpture. An international wedding festival is celebrated in Tianya Haijiao every year. Around the Mid Autumn Day, there is a Lantern Festival, which adds to the special atmosphere.

Tianya Haijiao is a heaven for people who are head over heals in love, and also an ideal place for people who are deeply in love with the sea. You will definitely have fond memories after visiting this scenic spot.