Sanya Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone is located at the foot of Nanshan in Yazhou District, Sanya City, Hainan Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Based on ecological development and centered on Buddhist culture, the scenic area integrates ecological tourism, Buddhist culture, the culture of blessing and longevity, and folk customs. It covers an area of 50 square kilometers, including 10 square kilometers of sea area. It is home to the world's first golden-and-jade statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, the 108-meter Sea Guanyin Statue, and other magnificent structures, as well as many Buddhist buildings such as Nanshan Temple and the Gate of Non-Duality. Its architectural style combines traditional Chinese architecture with Buddhist cultural characteristics and has great artistic value.
History and Culture
Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone has a long history and profound cultural heritage. In ancient times, Nanshan was called Aoshan and was a famous mountain in southern Qiong (Hainan). Since ancient times, Nanshan has been a Buddhist holy site, with many Buddhist legends and historical relics.
During his fifth voyage to Japan, the famous Tang Dynasty monk Master Jianzhen drifted to Nanshan, where he stayed for a year and a half and spread Buddhist culture. During the Song Dynasty, temples were built at Nanshan, which became a holy place of worship for Buddhist believers.
In modern times, Nanshan has been further developed and protected. In 1995, construction of Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone began. After years of development, it has become a comprehensive tourist attraction integrating Buddhist culture, ecological tourism, and leisure vacations.
Main Attractions
Sea Guanyin Statue
The Sea Guanyin Statue is 108 meters high, 15 meters taller than the Statue of Liberty, and is the largest Guanyin statue in the world. The statue is a three-in-one representation: one face holds a lotus flower, one holds a golden book, and one holds prayer beads. It stands on a 108-petaled lotus throne, with a solemn and majestic appearance. Construction began on the 19th day of the ninth lunar month in 1999 and was completed on April 24, 2005.
Nanshan Temple
Nanshan Temple is the largest Han Buddhist monastery in southern China. It covers an area of 400 mu (about 26.7 hectares) and is built in Tang Dynasty style. It includes the Hall of the Humane Kings, the Mahavira Hall, east and west side halls, Bell and Drum Towers, and other buildings. The temple architecture is magnificent and solemn, and it is an important site for Buddhist worship and tourist visits.
Golden and Jade Guanyin
The Golden and Jade Guanyin consists of four parts: the golden body of Guanyin, the Buddha's halo, the thousand-petaled precious lotus, and a red sandalwood-carved Sumeru base. It is 3.8 meters high and uses more than 100 kilograms of gold, more than 120 carats of South African diamonds, thousands of rubies and sapphires, emeralds, coral, turquoise, pearls, and more than 100 kilograms of jade, as well as other rare treasures. It is made with traditional Chinese court gold filigree, gemstone inlay, and other techniques. It is a rare treasure and is known as the "treasure of the island."
Gate of Non-Duality
The Gate of Non-Duality is the entrance landscape of Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone and is built in the style of the Southern and Northern Dynasties. It is 20.8 meters high and consists of a large Tang-style six-story building and other structures, group sculptures, sutra pillars, stone carvings, reliefs, and gardens. The Gate of Non-Duality Square is surrounded by tall kapok trees and bright red kapok flowers. In the square stands Mount Sumeru, where many guardian deities reside. After going around Mount Sumeru, visitors enter the "Yuantong Sutra Pillar," which is surrounded by group sculptures of the Eight Legions of Devas and Nagas.
Tour Route：
One-day tour route: Enter through the main gate (Gate of Non-Duality). First visit the Gate of Non-Duality Square to learn about its architectural style and cultural connotations. Then go to Nanshan Temple to visit the Hall of the Humane Kings, the Mahavira Hall, and other buildings, and experience the solemnity of Buddhist culture. After that, go to the Sea Guanyin Statue, either on foot or by shuttle bus, and worship and take photos at the foot of the statue. At noon, enjoy Nanshan vegetarian cuisine at a vegetarian restaurant in the scenic area. In the afternoon, go to the Golden and Jade Guanyin to admire this rare treasure. Finally, stroll through the gardens in the scenic area, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, and leave through the main gate.
Suggestions：
It is recommended to buy tickets online in advance to avoid queuing at the entrance.
The scenic area is large; you can choose to tour it by shuttle bus. The shuttle bus ticket is 30 yuan per person, which saves energy and time.
When visiting temples and other religious sites, dress appropriately; do not wear overly revealing or casual clothing.
When tasting Nanshan vegetarian dishes, order according to your taste and appetite to avoid waste.
When visiting in summer, take sun protection measures, such as applying sunscreen, wearing a hat and sunglasses, to prevent sunburn.
Precautions：
When entering temples and other religious sites, follow the relevant regulations, do not make loud noises or fool around, and respect religious beliefs and customs.
When visiting the Sea Guanyin Statue, do not climb on or touch the statue; keep it solemn and sacred.
Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area. Protect the environment and do not litter.
If taking photos in the scenic area, be careful not to disturb other visitors or religious activities.
When spending at restaurants and shops in the scenic area, check prices to avoid being overcharged.
Transportation：
Bus: Take buses No. 16, 25, 55, etc., and get off at Nanshan Temple Station to reach the scenic area. Bus fares vary by route, ranging from 2 to 10 yuan.
Taxi: Taking a taxi from downtown Sanya to the scenic area costs about 80–120 yuan, depending on the route and time.
Self-driving: From downtown Sanya, take the G98 Hainan Ring Expressway, exit at Nanshan, and follow the signs to the scenic area. There is a parking lot in the scenic area; parking for small cars is 10 yuan per day.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open from 08:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30). However, during special holidays or events, opening hours may be adjusted. Visitors can check the scenic area's official announcements in advance.
Tickets：
Admission is 108 yuan per person.