Sunrise Watching Pavilion

Sunrise Watching Pavilion

The Sunrise Watching Pavilion is a cultural heritage site protected by Guangzhou Municipality.

On the west side of the Temple of the South Sea God stands a small hill, known in ancient times as Zhangqiu. Atop this roughly 10-meter-high hill sits a small pavilion. During the Tang and Song dynasties, the area was surrounded by water on three sides, “facing the vast, boundless sea.” Naturally, standing in the pavilion made it the perfect spot to admire the sea view and express one’s feelings toward the ocean.

According to historical records, the staircase on this hill originally had 108 steps, but today only 72 remain. To the east, it connects to the Lion Sea, where the waters stretch far and wide. As night fades and the first crimson clouds appear, the vast blue waves are suddenly bathed in golden light. When the sun begins to rise from the sea, half of it still remains submerged, emerging and disappearing—what a spectacular sight. This is the historic scene known as “Fuxu Bathing in the Sun,” one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yangcheng during the Song and Yuan dynasties. No wonder so many literati and poets, after visiting the Temple of the South Sea God, loved to take an evening boat ride here, then wait until dawn to climb the ancient pavilion and watch the sunrise.

In the early years of Shaosheng during the Northern Song Dynasty (1094), the great literary master Su Dongpo, while being demoted and passing through Lingnan, stopped in Guangzhou and paid a revered visit to the Temple of the South Sea God. He climbed the Sunrise Watching Pavilion and, awestruck by the vastness of the sea, the glory of the sun, the immensity of heaven and earth, and the simplicity of the temple, composed the poem “Sunrise Watching Pavilion at the South Sea,” expressing his reflections on life: “The sword’s aura pierces the sky on a spirited night; Auspicious light flickers as it reaches Huangwan. Seated, I watch valleys float in golden halos; In distance, I imagine Qiantang’s snow mountains surge. Just feeling the desolation, my sick frame revives; Yet troubled by mist, my aging face is cleansed. Startled, I see birds move and travelers rise; They fly up among emerald mountain peaks.”

The Sunrise Watching Pavilion has long been a favorite spot for travelers to watch the sunrise over the sea. The “Fuxu Bathing in the Sun,” one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yangcheng in the Song Dynasty, refers to this very place. Though the coastline has gradually shifted southward over the centuries and the area around the pavilion has become a stretch of tidal flats, climbing to the pavilion still offers a sweeping view of the mountain and sea landscape. The current structure was rebuilt in 1953. The pavilion is octagonal, with two tiers of flying eaves that spread out like an eagle soaring. Inside, there is a stone tablet inscribed with Su Shi’s poem “Sunrise Watching Pavilion,” as well as engravings of verses by the famed Ming Dynasty scholar from Guangdong, Chen Baisha, who composed his poem following the rhyme scheme of Su’s work. The entire stele is written in cursive script using a Maolong brush, exuding a bold, unrestrained, and naturally elegant style.

The Eight Scenic Spots of Yangcheng in the Song Dynasty—Fuxu Bathing in the Sun, Shimen Sunset Glow, Haishan Morning Clearing, Pearl River Autumn Moon, Chrysanthemum Lake Cloud Shadows, Pujian Curtain Spring, Guangxiao Bodhi, and Datong Misty Rain. Fuxu Bathing in the Sun is one of them.

Miao Tou Community: Miao Tou Community is a restructured community under the jurisdiction of Suidong Subdistrict in Huangpu District. In 2002, during the implementation of the “village-to-community” transition, the former Miaotou Village of Nangang Town was renamed as a “community.” “Miao Tou” derives its name from the thousand-year-old Temple of the South Sea God, making it one of the oldest villages in Guangzhou. Since becoming a restructured community, Miao Tou has seen continuous improvement in urbanization, steady socioeconomic development, and strengthened grassroots Party building, all driven by strong support from the district committee and government. Key details are as follows:

I. Basic Information About the Community

(1) Geographic Location and Population... Detailed information about Miao Tou Community++