Itinerary Overview
8:00-9:00 Hotel pick up
9:00-12:00 Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Park
12:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-17:00 Tianya Haijiao (The End of the Earth)
17:00-18:00 Back to Hotel
Attraction: Nanshan Cultural Park
The Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Park is a national 5A-level tourist attraction in China. Its main structures include the Nanshan Temple, the South Sea Guanyin Statue, the Guanyin Cultural Park, the Sacred Sites of India, the Buddhist Scenic Area, the Forest of Stupas, the Return to Roots Garden, the Buddhist Cultural Exchange Center, and a vegetarian food and shopping street. This park is a showcase of traditional Chinese Buddhist culture, rich in profound philosophical meanings, and designed to enlighten the mind and guide one’s life.
Located 40 kilometers southwest of Sanya, Hainan, at the foot of Nanshan, the Nanshan Temple is the southernmost temple in mainland China. From the sea-view platform in front of the temple, one can glimpse towering mountains partially shrouded in mist. At this moment, the famous Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi's line—“Suddenly I hear of a fairy mountain in the sea, the mountain appears between the void and the mist” (AD 772–AD 864)—seems perfectly fitting.
The most famous attraction at Nanshan Temple is the world-record-breaking South Sea Guanyin, a 108-meter-tall statue worth 600 million RMB. Another highlight is the world’s first golden jade Guanyin statue, valued at 192 million RMB, which is considered a masterpiece of global craftsmanship. The unique artistic charm of this statue, along with the connection between Guanyin and Nanshan, draws visitors from around the world. Nanshan Temple is an unparalleled representation of deep Buddhist and Chinese cultural heritage, making it one of the world’s most remarkable Buddhist sacred sites.
Lunch: Self Arranged
We can recommend vegetarian Buddhist restaurants, seafood restaurants, halal restaurants, or local eateries based on your preferences and dietary habits.
Attraction: Tianya Haijiao (The End of the Earth)
The Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area is located in the southwest of Sanya, Hainan, between Sanya Bay and Hongtang Bay. It is a national 5A-level tourist site covering a total area of 16.4 square kilometers, with 10.4 square kilometers of land and 6 square kilometers of sea. The natural landscape of Tianya Haijiao consists of large beach rocks, the Xiamaling Peak, Tianya Bay, and sandy beaches with clear waters. Major attractions in the area include the “Tianya” Rock, “Haijiao” Rock, and the “South Pillar of Heaven” monument. The name "Tianya Haijiao" comes from two giant rocks, inscribed with “Tianya” and “Haijiao,” as well as a plaque by the famous Chinese writer Guo Moruo, which reads “Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area.”
Legend has it that long ago, a young couple from a distant land fell deeply in love since childhood. However, their families did not approve of their relationship, and so they fled to Hainan Island, to Sanya. Facing the vast ocean ahead and their pursuers behind, they saw no escape and embraced as they ran towards the sea. At that moment, a thunderstorm erupted, and with a loud crash, everyone turned into stones. It is said that the two giant rocks standing by the sea, inscribed with "Tianya" and "Haijiao," are the lovers of that time, while the small stones surrounding them represent their families chasing them. Many couples visit Tianya Haijiao, walking through the area to witness the love that remains unbroken even at the "end of the world."
