This route is themed paying respect to Buddha in the east sea and praying for good luck.
Huayan scenic spot is located in the eastern part of Laoshan scenic spot. It has Taiqing to the south, Yangkou to the north, Jufeng Peak to the West and the sea to the east. It is the only Buddhist tourist area in Laoshan. Main attractions here includes Huayan Temple, Narayana Grottoes, Statue of Faxian and so on. Huayan Temple is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on the east. The temple was built following the form of the mountain. It is simple and elegant, and its asymmetric layout is rare in Buddhist architecture. The Temple is also the originating place of Mantis School of Chinese Kung Fu.
Main attractions
Statue of Faxian: Faxian (337 - 422 AD) was born in Xianghuan, Shanxi Province, Eastern Jin Dynasty, and became a monk in his early years. In the 3rd year of Long’an, Eastern Jin Dynasty (399 AD), he became the first person in Chinese history to travel westward from Chang'an to India on a pilgrimage for Buddhist scriptures. In the 8th year of Yixi, Eastern Jin Dynasty (412 AD), Faxian returned home by sea and landed in Laoshan. He translated and preached the scriptures in Laoshan for one year, and wrote his pilgrimage into the Faxian's Record of Buddhist Countries.
Huazang World Gate: This magnificent mountain gate is carved with statues of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Flying Apsaras and Buddha's warrior attendants, which are sacred and magnificent. There are three forged bronze lotus flowers on the mountain gate. The petals spread in all directions. On each of the petals of the lotus flowers, there is a different Buddhist handicraft statue engraved, which represents a Buddhist thought of "one flower, one world, one leaf, one Buddha".
Huayan Temple is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on the east. The temple was built following the form of the mountain. It is simple and elegant, and its asymmetric layout is rare in Buddhist architecture. Huayan Temple is also the originating place of Mantis School of Chinese Kung Fu. The Mantis School is created by Master Shanhe in the early Qing Dynasty. It integrated the essence of Chinese martial arts and became a unique school.
Narayana Grottoes: according to the Avatamsaka Sutra: "there is a place named Narayana Grottoes in the eastern sea where Bodhisattvas live". The grotto is huge with an opening on the ceiling that let the auspicious light shines in. Therefore, the sea area near Huayan Temple is the legendary place of Buddhism in the eastern sea. Praying to the eastern sea and enjoy happiness as immense as the eastern sea.
Sightseeing route
Take a sightseeing bus from Yangkou scenic spot Parking Lot to Huayan scenic spot. Sightseeing route: Faxian Square - Huazang Gate - Tower Court - Huayan Temple - Yugushi - Narayana Grottoes. The whole tour lasts about two and a half hours.
This is the best route of Buddhism tourism in Laoshan Scenic Spot. Huayan Temple is the only existing Buddhist temple open in Laoshan. It was first built in Shunzhi period of Qing Dynasty. Walking through the Huazang World Gate, magical scenes unfold one after another faster the the eyes can take in. Enter the vast world of Buddhism, visit Huayan Buddhist Hall, see the Narayana Grottoes, the second largest grottoes in the world, climb up the chessboard of celestials, watch the statue of Yu Qi and admire the indomitable national spirit. Climb the Riqi Stone; watch the sunrise of Laoshan Mountain from the coastal waters.
In terms of tour plan, if time is short, tourists are advised to backtrack after visiting Huayan Temple, taking the route from Huayan Gate to Huayan Temple. The round trip time is about one and a half hours; if time permits, tourists can choose to go on and visit the Narayana Grottoes.
