Haikou Dabeige Pavilion

　　Dabeige Pavilion is situated in Xiayao Residential Group, Xaguang Neighborhood Committee, Bailong Township, Zhendong District, Haikou City. Historical records show that during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1573–1619), Prefect Tu Wenkui and imperial censor Xu Ziwei, aiming to revitalize Hainan’s literary culture, advocated for the construction of the Mingchang Tower. The project also included the establishment of the Jingshi Hall, Wenchang Pavilion, and Guan Di Temple. Later, Monk Yili raised funds to build Dabeige Pavilion next to the tower to enshrine the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (from which the pavilion gets its name), to promote Buddhism. As a result, the site became a Buddhist sanctuary. In the third year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1738), Monk Fakong oversaw its renovation.

　　In the sixth year of the Qianlong reign (1741), Prefect Zhang Bingyi relocated the Guan Di Temple, giving prominence solely to Dabeige Pavilion. The Guan Di Temple later became known as the "Mingchang Ancestral Temple," continuing to enshrine Guan Yu, and was not far from Dabeige Pavilion. Due to lack of protection, the building fell into disrepair, cultural relics were stolen, and precious murals were severely damaged. In mid-October 1998, it was demolished due to the construction of Guoxing Avenue.

　　In the 16th year of the Daoguang reign (1836), Daoist Protector Zhang ??chun advocated for the renovation of both Dabeige Pavilion and Mingchang Tower, receiving enthusiastic support from scholars and locals. According to local resident Wen Guocai, Dabeige Pavilion was destroyed in an accident: in May 1956, dozens of tons of materials stored inside the pavilion for water conservancy projects suddenly exploded, completely leveling the structure. The gold-leaf-covered bodhisattva statue inside was obliterated, and a working ox was also killed. In 1990, respected local elder Sun Bangkui initiated a campaign to rebuild Dabeige Pavilion, prompting widespread public donations in support.

　　The reconstruction was overseen by Wang Mingzhao, Sun Shisan, Wen Guocai, Sun Bangfu, and Sun Bangfu, with fundraising led by Xiayao and Wazao Residential Groups along with the Haikou Taguang Agricultural, Industrial, Commercial, and Trade Corporation. Over 660,000 yuan was raised to construct a Maitreya Hall, an Incense-Worshipping Pavilion, a Guanyin Hall, and three east-west wing rooms. The project was completed in the winter of 1991, largely restoring the pavilion to its original Qing Dynasty appearance.

　　Location: No. 2 Heng Road, Xingdan, Qiongshan District, Haikou City, Hainan Province

　　Transportation: Take bus routes 11, 14, 1, 37, 38, 41, or K3 within Haikou City to get there