The largest centre of Buddhism, Nan Shan, is located about 50 km from Sanya. It is not just a tourist attraction, it is also the venue for worship, Buddhist rituals, and various celebrations. Buddhists come to Nan Shan not only from all over China, but also from all over the world.
In fact, Nan Shan is a large park that covers almost 50 square kilometres. On a specially erected small island, which is connected to the shore by a thin isthmus, there is a bronze statue of the goddess Guan Yin. You can't believe it, but the statue is 108 metres high. In comparison, the Statue of Liberty in New York, known to all, is 93 metres high.
One of the temples houses another impressive statue representing Guan Yin. It is made of pure gold and weighs 140kg. The goddess is adorned with precious stones and sits on a pedestal made of white jade in the form of a large lotus flower. But this statue is famous all over the world not so much for its weight as for the fact that inside it contains the ashes of Shakyamuni Buddha, who lived 2500 years ago and founded Buddhism. This makes the statue not only a symbol of religion, but also a special object of worship.
Nan Shan is a complex consisting of a temple, a longevity valley and two parks named "The Way of Mercy" and "Happiness and Well-Being". In the centre of the square belonging to Nan Shan stand three turtles, symbolising three generations. These images, in the national tradition, are reminders of respect for old age, peace and prosperity in the family. Also of interest is the Good Luck Gong, which must be struck to release all worries and troubles.
Overall, Nan Shan is the perfect place to seek tranquillity and contemplate the beautiful. The park is made according to all the laws of feng shui and represents the harmony of man and nature.
For the Chinese, Nan Shan is the benchmark of a sacred place. They come here to pray, people ask the goddess Guan Yin to fulfil their deepest desires. They light incense and tie red strips of cloth to the trees with a prayer, and then go to the statue of the goddess to worship. All visitors to the temple at the exit are offered to buy a gold card with the image of the goddess, which will bring luck and fulfil a wish.
