This Taoist Park is located about 50 km from Sanya, at the foot of the Southern Mountain, and covers an area of ββ23 sq. Km. km. It was founded in 1187 during the reign of the Song dynasty. Thus, the park can be called the oldest attraction of Hainan. It is famous for its stunning natural scenery, ecological resources and historical sites.
The interesting name of the park is connected with an interesting story. According to the Taoist dogma, there are 10 large and 36 small grottoes (Dongtian), as well as 72 sacred caves in which the gods live. Under the Song Dynasty, Mao Kun, governor of Hainan Province, found Big Dongtian and Little Dongtian on the Southern Mount. He turned this place into a resort and inscribed inscriptions on the cliff and rocks. Today, only the Little Dongtian remained under the cliff: It's impossible to find a big one, and this makes it even more legendary. True, the names Big and Small Dongtian are still used.
Taoist Park consists of six zones: Dongtian Caves, Southern Mountain of Longevity, Temple of the Dragon King of the South China Sea, Wall of Records, Sea Wonders and Sanyi Natural History Museum. In total, the park has more than 50 attractions, and tourists from all over the world come here to learn about local customs, recreation and entertainment.
Celestial grottos Dongtian, according to legend, is the place from which Mao Kun ascended to heaven. Especially popular are three fabulous islands: Panglay, Yungzhou and Fanzang. This is where Taoism originated in South China, and here you can see many historical Taoist relics, including the Celestial imprint and the Heavenly Altar.
The Southern Mountain of Longevity deserves its name: it is covered with greenery by 85%, and the air in the air is negatively charged here more than anywhere else in China. Even more amazing are the 30 thousand dracens called here "longevity pines": this plant is a family of agave trees - one of the rarest long-lived people of the world, its age can reach, according to some information, 10 thousand years.
In the Temple of the dragon king of the South China Sea, the statue of that king is kept. In Chinese culture, the dragon king brings stability and luck. The second lunar day of February is considered the day when the dragon raises his head. During this holiday in the park, lush traditional celebrations take place and prayers are offered to the king and the sea.
The wall of the records is located on the top of the South Mountain, sometimes called the mountain of the Divine Turtle because of its characteristic outlines. Here there is a corresponding statue. The inscriptions refer to Kuixing, the god of writing, which was often depicted standing on the back of a sea turtle. It is believed that this deity celebrates the one who is famous for his talents in the field of writing.
Sanyi Natural History Museum is the only one in the southern part of China. Here are collected the remains of dinosaurs and objects recreating the face of the Earth, as it was 140 million years ago. In total there are about 2 thousand items in the exposition, 800 of which are considered to be national treasures. In particular, the collection of fossils of Western Liaoning was named by US President Bill Clinton "the most amazing find of the 20th century."
In addition to the six zones mentioned above, the park has a conservation area of ββthe Small Crescent Bay. In this small bay, many plants are preserved, and the concentration of cations here reaches 10 thousand per cubic centimeter: this is a real natural oxygen bar. There are also regular beach bars, as well as huts and campgrounds where you can stay for a few days
Practical information
To get to the Taoist park, you can either get on the tourist bus right here from Sanya Bay, or get there up to the South Mountain from Sanyi West Station by bus, get off at the intersection with the road leading to the park, and get there on foot. Free shuttles to the park are sent in the summer months in the morning, once a day, from Summer department store and Pearl Square.
Opening hours: 8:30 - 18:30.
Entrance: 135 CNY for adults, 70 CNY for children 120-140 cm in height, children up to 120 cm free admission (December 2014).