Nanshan, a half-hour drive west of Sanya, is quite unlike other Buddhist temples in China.  Recently built, it comes across more as a theme park than a temple, heavy on landscaping, photo spots, and tourist attractions.  Indeed, it promotes itself as a combination of three theme parks, and the area’s official name is the Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone.  Parts of it are still under construction.  But despite its lack of history, the temple does have some legends associated with it.  For example, Nanshan - “South Mountain” - is supposedly the “mountain of longevity” from Chinese mythology, and a number of displays here play up that theme.  Shown here is the entrance gateway greeting visitors to the main park grounds.

A typical shop display in the park.  Unlike the shoddy tourist shops that sprang up around many temples after China embraced tourism, the shops here - and there are many of them - have been well planned into the theme of the rest of the grounds.  This is a temple made for tourists, and the Chinese enjoy it; Nanshan was the most crowded spot I saw around Sanya.

Gardens make up a major portion of the park and temple grounds.  While some are little more than large yards of mown grass and sculpted hedges, most take advantage of Hainan Island’s tropical environment, such as the croton here.

The largest attraction still under construction at Nanshan (but approaching completion during my February 2005 visit) is a giant statue of Guanyin, the Chinese Buddhist goddess of mercy.  The statue, taller than the Statue of Liberty, stands atop a manmade island just off the coast.

Detail of the statue from afar.  Tourists will eventually be allowed into display halls beneath the statue, but not into the statue itself - a setup similar to the Guanyin statue at Putuoshan.

Trumpet vine growing along a wall.  This is as good a place as any to mention Nanshan’s wonderful restaurant, itself worth the price of admission.  Though all its dishes are vegetarian, many taste and even look like meat dishes (duck, fish, pork) found in regular Chinese restaurants.  Lunch here was definitely a highlight of this trip.

A wall of greetings and wishes.  Chinese visitors purchase these ribbons with good wishes printed on them, write their own names and wishes for others, and tack them along a number of walls near one of the temples - a popular activity this week before Chinese New Year.

Some well-wishers tie their ribbons to tree branches in the nearby forest.

Worshipers light candles near a Buddhist temple at Nanshan.  The haze in the background comes from the massive number of burning incense sticks at a nearby altar.

Detail of the candles, with flames from burning incense sticks in the background.

The Nanshan Temple, with Nanshan (the mountain) in the background.  Again, the temple is quite recent, despite its pre-Tang-dynasty design.

Red powderpuff on the park grounds.  Despite its manufactured, manicured feel that is so unlike the rest of China, Nanshan is a very pleasant way to spend a free day around Sanya - and again, the vegetarian restaurant is particularly worth a visit.