Nanan Tianxin Cave

Nanan Tianxin Cave

Tianxin Cave is situated at the foot of Qionghua Mountain in Shuitou Town, Nanan. Constructed during the Sui Dynasty (581–618 AD), it is one of the four major ancient temples in Nanan City. Originally called Tianxiang Temple and dedicated to the Three Jewels of Buddhism, it is a one-of-a-kind destination in Nanan where Buddhism and Taoism blend. The scenic area includes four main attractions: a Taoist temple, Dragon Pool, Waterfall, and Tianxiang Temple, and is known as a “Famous Site of Southern Quanzhou.”

Tianxin Cave was first built during the Sui Dynasty and was initially called Tianxiang Temple, being one of the three major ancient temples in Nanan. It was later converted into a Taoist temple dedicated to the Eight Immortals, becoming the only Taoist site in Nanan that retains its traditional Taoist architectural style. It is rich in religious legends, such as the Eight Immortals punishing the evil dragon, Guanyin exchanging temples with the Eight Immortals, Guanyin building Haichao An at the head of the Five-Li Bridge to subdue the tides, the Eight Immortals using Longjin herbs to cure plagues, and the Eight Immortals giving Yang Xiangong (also known as Taiyi Zhenren) the immortal apricot. These legends greatly enrich the religious culture, and many scenic spots and place names are closely tied to these stories, such as Dragon Pool, Waterside Pavilion, Eight Huge Rocks at the Bottom of the Pool, Dragon-Entrapped Mountain, Haichao An, Lion Mountain’s Biyun Temple, Immortal Trace Rock, and Apricot Residence.

The famous Buddhist temple Tianxiang Chan Temple is adjacent to the Tianxin Cave Taoist temple. The two sites complement each other and create a harmonious blend of religions, often described as “Buddhism and Taoism united as one, immortals and buddhas as one family.” The renowned Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) once visited Tianxin Cave to pray for dreams, and the golden statue of the widely worshipped Yang Xiangong (Taiyi Zhenren) has also been brought here for worship, reflecting the site’s profound religious cultural significance.

Address: At the foot of Qionghua Mountain, Shuitou Town, Nanan City, Quanzhou, 12842 km northeast

Type: Temple & Taoist Site

Recommended Visiting Time: About 3–4 hours

Phone: 0595-86937532

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

Free admission.