Nanjing Yangtze River Guanyin Scenic Area

Nanjing Yangtze River Guanyin Scenic Area

The Yangtze River Guanyin Scenic Area is located within the Muyan Riverside Scenic Zone in Nanjing, to the west of Yanziji Park and adjacent to the Yangtze River, featuring a linear layout from east to west. The Guanyin Pavilion is situated on Mufu Mountain, not far southwest of the renowned Yanziji Park in Nanjing. It is now collectively known as the Yangtze River Guanyin Scenic Area along with Toutai Cave, Er’tai Cave, and Santai Cave. The scenic area spans 1.5 kilometers in length and covers an area of approximately 120,000 square meters. It is the first scenic area along China’s Yangtze River themed around Guanyin culture. Nestled between the lush Mufu Mountain and the surging white waves of the Yangtze River, the area boasts beautiful scenery and a vibrant atmosphere. The Guanyin Pavilion and the “Three Caves” have been famous historical sites since ancient times, and the Guanyin culture has flourished in this region for centuries.

The Yangtze River Guanyin Scenic Area is divided into eight major sub-areas along its route: Guanyin Pavilion, Baizi Forest, Stone Sutra Garden, Toutai Cave, Er’tai Cave, Love & Destiny Square, Santai Cave, and Fan’yin Garden. It houses numerous Guanyin statues with various themes, including Holy Guanyin, Child-Giving Guanyin, Thousand-Armed Guanyin, Medicine-Granting Guanyin, Dragon-Headed Guanyin, Reclining Lotus Guanyin, Moon-Water Guanyin, and Treasure Assembly Guanyin. The area is also interspersed with numerous small sculptures, cliff inscriptions, and Buddhist-themed painted murals, collectively showcasing China’s long-standing and profound Guanyin culture developed over thousands of years.

The scenic area is divided into eastern and western sections. The eastern section consists of five parts: Guanyin Pavilion, Baizi Forest, Stone Path Garden, Toutai Cave, and Er’tai Cave. The western section includes three parts: Love & Destiny Square, Santai Cave, and Fan’yin Garden. “Guanyin” is the Chinese translation of the Sanskrit word “Avalokiteshvara,” which literally means “the one who observes the sounds of the world’s people.” It is one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas. It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, to avoid using the character “Shi” (世), part of Emperor Li Shimin’s name, the character was omitted, and the deity became commonly known as “Guanyin.” In addition to her main form, Guanyin has thirty-two incarnations, each symbolizing different meanings. The scenic area currently enshrines more than ten of these incarnations. Each Guanyin is unique, representing various beautiful wishes.

Scenic Area Address: Folingmen Road, Muyan Riverside Scenic Zone, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: Within Nanjing, take bus routes 35, 176, or 308 and get off at Wutangcun East Station; take bus routes 149 or 307 and get off at Shangyuanmen Station; take bus routes 8 or 122 and get off at Yanziji Station; or take a cruise ship and disembark at Yanziji Wharf or Wumadu Cruise Wharf.