Sacred Site of Qiongtai

　　The Sacred Site of Qiongtai is located in Guandi Lane, a north-south alley within Wen Zhuang Road, Fucheng District, Haikou City. At the entrance of the lane stands an exquisitely designed memorial archway. The archway is entirely made of stone in an ancient railing style, featuring a single-eave structure with four pillars. Each pillar is adorned with a patterned wind-blocking board at the front and back. Its roof is constructed from stacked stones resembling tile ridges, with fish-dragon ornaments on the ridge. The archway spans three bays in width, with the words “Sacred Site of Qiongtai” engraved in raised relief in clerical script and gilded on both the front and back plaques.

　　Passing through the archway and walking into the narrow Guandi Lane, you will see a group of resplendent ancient-style buildings atop dozens of steps. This is the widely renowned ancient city and cultural heritage site.

　　This area is part of Ba’er Mountain, one of the three peaks of Fucheng. During the Tang Dynasty, the Regional Military Command was stationed here; during the Song Dynasty, it was the Provincial Surveillance Commission; and during the Yuan Dynasty, it housed the Marshal’s Office. People commonly refer to government offices as “tai” (台), hence the name “Qiongtai.” The legend of the Sacred Site of Qiongtai has existed for a long time. Astrologers once claimed that the yang energy of the Chinese mainland traverses the sea and gathers first beneath Qiongtai, thus giving it the title of a “sacred land.” Another legend says that Hainan’s landform resembles a mythical turtle with its head withdrawn. Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty, fearing it might raise its head and threaten the dynasty, relocated the prefectural city to where the turtle had withdrawn its head. In the sixth year of Xining reign under Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty (1073 AD), the Qiongzhou Pacification Commission was established in Fucheng to oversee the governance of the entire island, thereby subduing the turtle. Thus, the place was then called Qiongtai. In the first year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1403 AD), Yang Yi, the military commander of Hainan Wei, erected a stone stele inscribed with “Ba’er Mountain” at the mountaintop and also set up a memorial archway labeled “Sacred Site of Qiongtai” on the southern side of the mountain. In the early years of the Hongzhi reign (1488 AD), villagers excavated Ba’er Mountain to build a Guan Yu Temple. In the 22nd year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1757 AD), Zhang Jieqi, the circuit intendant, restored the Sacred Site of Qiongtai following public demand. In the 43rd year of Qianlong (1778 AD), Wang, the then magistrate of Qiongshan County, engraved the two characters “Qiongtai” on a stone tablet as a record. Later, structures such as the Guan Yu Temple, Wenchang Pavilion, Shrine of the Goddess, Offering Platform, Theater Stage, and Memorial Archway were built on this sacred land, making it a destination for literati and a place for common people to pray for peace and health.

　　The Sacred Site of Qiongtai Memorial Archway built on the southern side of the mountain in the first year of the Yongle reign (1403 AD) and other structures had been lost in the vast river of history. In 1999, the former Qiongshan City was approved by the State Council as a “Famous Historical and Cultural City.” On the original site of the Sacred Site of Qiongtai, the memorial archway was rebuilt, the Guan Yu Hall was renovated, and new structures such as Fudi Xuan (Blessed Land Pavilion), Qiongtai Ge (Qiongtai Pavilion), Eastern Corridor, and Western Corridor were added, forming the Sacred Site of Qiongtai Memorial Hall. This restoration brought back its past glory and vibrancy.

　　Stone steps lead up to the lofty Sacred Site of Qiongtai—nine steps per platform, totaling twenty-seven steps across three platforms. Fudi Xuan is built upon the third expansive platform. At the edges of this elevated terrace stand exquisitely crafted stone balustrades. Along the stone railings and handrails, each panel features vividly carved figures representing legendary immortals in traditional Chinese mythology: Cao Guojiu holding jade tablets, Tieguai Li with his iron crutch, Han Zhongli shaking his drum, Zhang Guolao riding a donkey, Lü Dongbin playing the flute, He Xiangu wearing a bamboo hat, Lan Caihe holding large castanets, Han Xiangzi carrying a flower basket, as well as carps leaping through the dragon gate amid flowers, plants, insects, and birds… The dragons’ heads face each other, mouths holding pearls, eyes wide open, and whiskers flowing, as if ready to soar into the sky. The intricate stone pillars are rich in content, showcasing the profound essence of traditional Chinese culture; the craftsmanship of the stonemasons is peerless.

　　These elite figures from Hainan were immensely talented, demonstrating their intelligence and prowess throughout China’s long history.

　　The convergence of so many remarkable personalities, transcending dynasties and eras, gathering at the Sacred Site of Qiongtai, is the pride of this sacred place and the glory of Hainan.

　　The most breathtaking feature of Fudi Xuan is the pair of coiling dragon stone pillars at its grand entrance. Symmetrically positioned, each pillar is intricately hollow-carved with a massive dragon. Coiled around the pillars, the dragons support sculpted figures from folklore: Cao Guojiu holding jade tablets, Tieguai Li with his iron crutch, Han Zhongli shaking his drum, Zhang Guolao riding a donkey, Lü Dongbin playing the flute, He Xiangu wearing a bamboo hat, Lan Caihe holding castanets, Han Xiangzi carrying a flower basket, as well as carps leaping through the dragon gate surrounded by flowers, plants, insects, and birds… The dragons’ heads face each other, mouths containing pearls, eyes wide, and whiskers flowing, as if poised to leap into the air. The exquisite stone pillars are rich in symbolism, reflecting the depth of traditional Chinese culture; the craftsmanship of the artisans is extraordinary.

　　To the east of the entrance courtyard stands a large seal script plaque inscribed with the two characters “Qiongtai,” written in 1778 AD by the then magistrate of Qiongshan County. It is said that this plaque was unearthed from underground during the 1999 reconstruction, broken into three sections, and later restored and reinstalled here.

　　Passing through the gate adorned with couplets reading “The enchanting beauty of Qiongtai spreads far and wide, the sacred monument shines brilliantly over Hainan,” you enter a courtyard lush with green bamboo. On both sides stand numerous lush green banana trees. Entering further, you are greeted by a serene atmosphere, with the elegant shapes of banana, banyan, kapok, coconut, mango, betel nut, lychee, and other tropical trees casting a refreshing shade. A pond lies at the center of the courtyard, filled with koi fish gracefully swimming. Along the pond are stone railings carved with traditional patterns. To the rear of the pond stands a corridor covered with vine plants, offering a cool and tranquil space. The entire scene exudes the charm and vitality of the tropics, offering visitors a delightful and refreshing experience.

　　Behind Qiongtai Ge (Pavilion) there is a wall, in the center of which is a huge golden character “Fu” (福, meaning “blessing”) with golden dragons dancing above it. Two small gates, labeled “Wenjing” (Literary Classics) and “Wuwei” (Martial Arts), flank the wall and lead to the Guan Yu Hall, connecting the pavilion, the tower, and the hall. This wall also serves as the screen wall for the Guan Yu Hall.

　　The green-tiled roof is decorated in a “品” (tripod) formation. At the center of the snow-white screen wall is a large bas-relief of a golden dragon coiled around, flanked by the bold characters “Zhongyi” (Loyalty and Righteousness) and “Ren Yong” (Benevolence and Bravery). The golden relief embodies the characteristics of dragon culture, while the characters precisely summarize the virtues of Guan Yu. A two-meter-high pagoda-shaped Longevity Tripod is placed in front of the screen wall, with six upturned eaves on the second and third tiers, each hanging a wind chime that tinkles softly in the breeze.

　　The courtyard is graced with evergreen cycads. On the walls of the eastern and western corridors hang yellow rosewood bas-reliefs, each one square meter in size, depicting three major life events of Guan Yu: the Peach Garden Oath, Resigning Official Rank and Sealing Gold, and Going Alone with a Saber to the Meeting, as well as Slaying Yan Liang with a Saber, Curing Poison by Scraping the Bone, and Beheading Cai Yang. These are all stories deeply rooted in Chinese culture.

　　The magnificent Guan Yu Hall dominates the northern side of the courtyard. Within the main shrine, seated in a bright red and golden altar is Guan Yu, described as “nine chi tall, with a beard two chi long; his face like a jujube, lips like painted rouge; phoenix-like eyes, silkworm-like brows; majestic in appearance and awe-inspiring in presence.” He is depicted gently stroking his long, ink-black beard with his right hand and holding a scroll of military strategy with his left, appearing calm and absorbed in reading. Guan Ping, holding a golden seal with both hands, and Zhou Cang, grasping a large saber in one hand and a sword in the other, stand guard on either side of the hall. The statues of Guan Yu, Guan Ping, and Zhou Cang are all carved from whole blocks of imported jackfruit wood. At the center of the gable wall of the Guan Yu Temple is embedded a green stone carving of a water-spouting dragon. Devotees come here daily to offer incense and worship, with especially large crowds gathering on the deity’s birthday and death anniversary.

　　On either side of the Guan Yu Hall are two smaller temples dedicated to Mazu, the goddess of the sea, and Guanyin, the goddess of mercy. Coastal residents worship Mazu, the protector of seafarers, while those wishing for children pay homage to Guanyin, the giver of sons. These two temples also enjoy brisk worship. It is rare to find one hall flanked by two temples in other places.

　　The architecture of the Sacred Site of Qiongtai preserves ancient styles, with orderly layout, symmetrical structure, ornate beams and painted rafters, grand scale, majestic appearance, and a rich cultural ambiance.