The Holy land of the Shaolin

The Sea Monastery (chin.: haizhuangsi 海幢寺), is today known as the Sea Park (chin.: Haizhuang Gongyuan 海幢公园). Lying south of the Pearl River (chin; zhujiang 珠江) is located between Nanhua Middle Road (chin.: nanhuazhonglu 南华中路), and Good fortune Tong fu Road (chin.: tongfulu 同福路), and covers an area of 19,700 square metres. Haizhuang Park would be a nondescript park, but for the remains of what was once Guangzhou’s largest monastery dating back to 1662. It was also one of the “Four Great Forests” (chin.:sidaconglin 四大丛林) in Guangzhou. The other three are the Bright Filial Temple (chin.: Guangxiaosi 光孝寺), Magnificent Forest Temple (chin.: Hualinsi 华林寺) and Six Banyan Trees Temple (chin.: Liurongsi 六榕寺).

It survived wars and natural disasters and its historic relics surrounded by Haizhuang Park have become a tourist resort in recent years. There are a few monks in residence today, as the temple is in current use and the scent of incense and sound of prayers floating through the air creates an atmosphere in keeping with the history of the place. The restorations have spruced up the broad south hall with its fine statuary and interlocked wooden beam roof, so typical of south China’s early Qing temple buildings.

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