Sights in Xiàmén
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Heavenly King Hall
Entering the temple through Heavenly King Hall you are met by the tub-bellied Milefo (Laughing Buddha), flanked by four heavenly kings. The classical Chinese inscription reads: 'When entering, regard Buddha and afterwards pay your respects to the four kings of heaven'.
Behind Milefo is Wei Tuo, protector of Buddhist monasteries, who safeguards Buddhist doctrine and relics. He holds a stick that points to the ground, indicating that the temple is rich and can provide visiting monks with board and lodging (if the stick is held horizontally it means the temple is poor and is a polite way of saying 'find somewhere else to stay').
reviewed
-
Húlǐ Shān Fortress
Across Daxue Lu, south of the university, is this gigantic German gun artillery built in 1893. You can rent binoculars to peer over the water to the Taiwanese-occupied island of Jīnmén (金门), formerly known as Quemoy, claimed by both mainland China and Taiwan. Boats (Y106 to Y126) do circuits of Jīnmén from the passenger ferry terminaloff Lujiang Lu.
reviewed
-
B
Nánpǔtuó Temple
On the southern side of Xiàmén, this Buddhist temple was originally built over a millennium ago but has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. Its latest incarnation dates to the early 20th century, and today it's an active and busy temple with chanting monks and worshippers lighting incense.
The temple is fronted by a lovely lotus-flower-filled lake. In front of the courtyard is the twin-eaved Big Treasure Hall (Dàxióng Bǎodiàn), presided over by a trinity of Buddhas representing his past, present and future forms. Behind rises the eight-sided Hall of Great Compassion (Dàbēi Diàn), in which stands a golden 1000-armed statue of Guanyin, facing the four directions.
reviewed
-
C
Xiamen University
Next to Nanputuo Temple, Xiamen University was established with overseas Chinese funds. Its well-maintained grounds feature an attractive lake and are good for a pleasant, shady stroll. The campus entrance is next to the stop for bus 1. You can walk south to Daxue Lu from the main entrance, where you'll see a nice long stretch of sandy beach.
reviewed
-
D
Great Compassion Hall
The Great Compassion Hall contains four statues of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy). Worshippers cast divining sticks at the feet of the statues to seek heavenly guidance.
The temple has an excellent vegetarian restaurant in a shaded courtyard where you can dine in the company of resident monks.
reviewed
-
E
Overseas Chinese Museum
A fascinating and ambitious celebration of China's communities abroad, with models, street scenes, photos and props. Close to the university.
reviewed
-
F
Great Heroic Treasure Hall
In front of the courtyard is the Great Heroic Treasure Hall, a two-storey building containing three Buddhas that represent Buddha in his past, present and future lives.
reviewed
