Chian Village

Chian Village

Chian Village is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Located 5 kilometers northeast of Xiapu County, Chian Village was an important ancient seaport and is named for the reddish cliffs along its shoreline.

In the 20th year of the Tang Dynasty's Zhenyuan era, Japanese monk Kūkai sailed to China in search of Buddhist teachings but was forced to land at Chian due to a typhoon. There, Kūkai and his companions studied Shingon Buddhism under the renowned local monk Huiguo, and also learned traditional Chinese arts such as calligraphy, poetry, painting, and sculpture. Today, Shingon Buddhism has over 1,200 followers and more than 4,000 temples in Japan, making it the country’s largest Buddhist sect. The landing site of monk Kūkai in Chian has since become a sacred place for Shingon Buddhists in Japan, attracting numerous pilgrims every year. The village features sites such as the Sea Worship Pavilion, Sea View Pavilion, Kūkai Landing Monument, and Chian Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall for visitors to explore. Abe no Tatsumasa, president of the Japan Buddhist Federation, once remarked during a pilgrimage: “Over 1,000 years ago, Master Kūkai landed here and was warmly welcomed by the villagers of Chian. More than a millennium later, we follow in his footsteps and are likewise embraced by the people of Chian. Chian is a sacred land. I believe that after this visit, even more Shingon followers will come to Chian!” Aside from the aforementioned attractions, Chian Village also offers historic sites such as castle ruins, Wang Youjun’s historical site, Guizhi Pavilion, and Liugeng Hall for exploration.