Zhelang South China Sea Guanyin Tourist Scenic Area

Zhelang South China Sea Guanyin Tourist Scenic Area

The South China Sea Guanyin Scenic Area is located on the eastern side of Zhelang Island. Legend has it that Guanyin attained enlightenment here and became one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas, leaving behind many magical legends and sacred sites.

The Temple of the God of Wealth enshrines the Daikokuten, a deity of wealth favored by the Japanese and regarded as one of the gods of fortune. He is often depicted holding items such as rice bags, money boxes, and wooden hammers.

Daikokuten is the Chinese translation of the Sanskrit "Mahakala," also translated as "Great Savior." In Tibetan, he is called "Gönpo." Originally a war god in ancient India, he was highly revered in Esoteric Buddhism after being incorporated into Buddhist tradition. Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism states that he is an emanation of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Hence, his presence here is no surprise.

The Guanyin Pavilion has three floors and is the most magnificent structure in the area. It stands atop the Lotus Rock, with the main hall enshrining Guanyin. The ground floor is a natural cave in the rock face, furnished with stone tables and benches for visitors to use.

There are vivid carvings of the twelve zodiac animals, facing the sea, where spring blossoms under warm sunlight.

There are stone carvings commemorating Zheng Chenggong’s southern military campaigns. Zheng Chenggong, clad in armor and resting his hand on his sword, stands tall and resolute, facing the vast ocean. His image is majestic and powerful. Zheng Chenggong led troops to the Haifeng and Lufeng regions twice, and these carvings document his efforts in reclaiming Taiwan.

Guanyin Bodhisattva and Red Bay: Long ago, in Red Bay, there was a family of Tanka people surnamed Guan who had three sons. When their fourth child was also a boy, but with delicate features, the family raised him as a girl and named her Siniang. Siniang was kind, intelligent, and helpful from a young age. A thousand-year-old demon in the form of a pipa spirit tried to kill her while she was out alone. Cornered by the pipa spirit, Siniang was suddenly saved when the Buddha appeared in the sky and struck the spirit with a palm. Siniang then became the Buddha’s disciple, and through arduous practice, she became Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Zhelang Subdistrict: Zhelang Subdistrict is located at the southeastern corner of Shanwei City’s urban area, at the border between the - and Jieshi Bay. It neighbors Tianqian Subdistrict to the west, Dongzhou Subdistrict to the north, and faces Dahu Town of Haifeng County and Lufeng City across Jieshi Bay to the northeast. Zhelang is a key component of Shanwei’s marine economic development and a focal point for the city’s coastal tourism and portside industrial economic zone. The subdistrict currently administers one community and ten village committees: Gongqian, Hegang, Shuiguiliao, Shigongliao, Tianliao, Hongkan, Guilin, Dongwei, Changgou, and Xinwei. It covers an area of 24.7 square kilometers with a population of 33,000 (2009).

　… Detailed information about Zhelang Subdistrict++