(By Tsem Rinpoche)

Yantai City

Click to enlarge

Yantai City, also known as the “Most Charming City”, is located in the northeast of Shandong Province, China. Unlike the metropolitan cities like Beijing or Shanghai, Yantai offers charming, picturesque sceneries that made it one of the most habitable places in the world.

Yantai in Chinese means “smoke tower”. The city derives its name from watchtowers that were built on Mount Qi to send smoke signals as warnings against Japanese pirate invasions during the Ming Dynasty (14^th-17^th century). About 100 km away from Yantai City is the city of Longkou. Administered under Yantai City, Longkou City’s most famous attraction is the Longkou Nanshan Scenic Area.

Longkou Nanshan Scenic Area

Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha in Longkou Scenic Area, Shandong Province, China

Longkou Nanshan Scenic Area of Shandong Province, China

Tourist map in Longkou Nanshan Scenic Area (click to enlarge)

Nanshan Scenic Area started its development in the 90s by the Nanshan Group to protect the greenery, and to preserve the culture and heritage in this area, as well as to promote tourism activities.

There are three sections at the Nanshan Scenic Area namely: the Chinese History, Cultural and Religious Park; Donghai Tourist Resort; and the Theme Park. People can visit Longkou Nanshan Scenic Area for relaxation and at the same time engage in spiritual activities for their peace of mind. 

The Chinese History, Cultural and Religious Park is built with the intention to preserve and promote the religious and Chinese culture. Specifically for the preservation of the Buddhism, this park holds the Nanshan Giant Buddha, Nanshan Temple, Jade Medicine Buddha, Nanshan Huayan Park and Xiangshui (Perfume) Nunnery. 

Apart from the Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha, which is the main attraction in Longkou Nanshan Scenic Area, the other two attractions are the indoor Jade Medicine Buddha and the Nanshan Huayan Park.

Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha

Located at the Longkou Nanshan Scenic Area is the world’s largest, seated bronze Buddha statue. The Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha statue is 38.55 metre-tall (126 feet) and weighs 380 tonnes. It was completed and consecrated in 2004. The Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha is also sometimes referred to as the Buddha of the East due to its location in China.

Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha statue, 38.55 metres (126 feet) tall, weighs 380 tonnes

The 360 steps that lead to the base of Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha

The body of the Buddha is made up of 232 pieces of bronze, its hair by 302 pieces of bronze, and its lotus petals by 108 pieces of bronze. To reach the Longkou Giant Buddha, visitors have to walk 360 steps from the ground-level, climbing a total height of 58.66 metres (192 feet).

The magnificent Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha

The Longkou Giant Buddha is seated, with right hand holding an Abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness) and left hand holding a Varada mudra (gesture of granting boons). Abhaya mudra signifies fearlessness, peace and comfort while Varada mudra signifies compassion and wish fulfilment. When the two mudras are combined, they represent the Buddha’s compassionate aspiration to liberate all sentient beings from sufferings, fulfil all sentient beings’ wishes and bring peace, calm, comfort to all sentient beings. The eyes of the Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha gaze compassionately at all sentient beings. With a slight smile on his face, whether you are standing far or close to the Buddha, you can always feel Buddha’s caring energy like a mother to a child.

Under the lotus base of the Buddha statue is the Appreciation Hall, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall and the Buddhism History Museum.

The building of Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha was started by a few farmers about 30 years ago. Soon, another 20 villagers joined the farmers. Later, the construction of the Giant Buddha was taken over by the Nanshan Group as part of the Nanshan Scenic Area project.

Many kind donors have contributed towards the construction of the Longkou Nanshan Giant Buddha. With a donation of RMB200 (USD30) and above, the name of the sponsors are displayed in the hall and regular blessing prayers are performed by the Sangha members of Nanshan Temple.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall

The leftover bronze from making the Nanshan Giant Buddha was used to make 9,999 pieces of small Buddha statues. Together with the Nanshan Giant Buddha, they make up a total of 10,000 Buddhas. People can invite the 9,999 Buddha statues home or they can make a sponsorship as an offering.

Buddhism History Museum

The Buddhism History Museum 1,800 sq. metre (19,375 sq. feet) provides an overview of how Buddhism found its way to China and the development of Buddhism in different time periods. Many precious relics and Buddhist items are displayed here for people to view and appreciate.

Nanshan Jade Medicine Buddha

The Nanshan Medicine Buddha is made of jade with a height of 13.66 metres (45 feet) and weighs 660 tonnes. It is the largest indoor jade Medicine Buddha in China, consecrated in 2005. The Nanshan Jade Medicine Buddha is housed in the 3-storey Nanshan Jade Medicine Buddha Hall.

Stupas containing the relics of Buddha’s tooth and highly attained Buddhist masters

Relic Hall

On the first floor is the Relic Hall. There are over a thousand Buddhist relics and artefacts displayed here from different Buddhist traditions. The most precious relic in here is the Buddha’s Tooth relic inside a golden stupa and the relics of highly attained Buddhist masters inside a jade stupa.

Escalators leading to the first floor of Jade Medicine Buddha Hall. At the side of the escalators are the 500 Arhats

500 Arhats statues at the side of the escalators

The entrance to Jade Medicine Buddha

The beautiful Jade Medicine Buddha

Located on the second floor is the mandala of Medicine Buddha, and on the third floor the Jade Medicine Buddha. Surrounding the Jade Medicine Buddha are other 6 forms of Medicine Buddhas. This is an ideal place for people who wants to pray for healing, health and longevity.

Nanshan Temple

The entrance to Nanshan Temple

Nanshan Temple was originally called Shiquan Temple and was built in the period of Zhenguan in Tang Dynasty (7^th to 10^th century). It is the oldest and the most famous temple in Longkou. The temple was reconstructed in 1999, while maintaining its old facade. It covers an area of 40,000 sq. metre (131 feet) and a built-up area of 9,800 sq. metres (32,000 sq. feet).

Within the Nanshan Temple, there are several halls; the Maitreya Hall, Daxiong Pavilion, Yuantong Hall and Tibetan Scripture Hall.

The Bell Tower, Dizang Hall, Kalan Hall and Oriental Three Sacred Halls. Bodhi Hall, Manjushri Hall are located on the East Road.

While the Drum Tower, Grand Master Hall, Western Three Saints Hall, Puxian Hall, Daxiong Palace are on the West Road.

Nanshan Huayan Park

Nanshan Huayan Park is named after the paradise of Vairocana Buddha. The total area is 115,000 sq. metres (377,000 sq. feet) with a built-up area of 5,500 sq. metres (18,000 square feet).

The main attractions at the Nanshan Huayan Park are the Five Dhyani Buddhas Halls, the Medicine Buddha Musical Fountain and the Prayer Wheels Corridor.

Five Dhyani Buddhas Halls

The Five Dhyani Buddhas Halls

In the middle hall are the Vairocana, Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Samanthabadra and Maitreya Buddha statues, while the other four halls houses the statues of Akshobhya (East), Ratnasambhava (South), Amitabha (West), and Amoghasiddhi (North).

Vairocana Buddha

Amitabha Buddha

Akshobhya Buddha

The Medicine Buddha Musical Fountain

In the middle of the fountain is the statue of Medicine Buddha with a height of 19.6 metres (64 feet). When the musical fountain is not in operations, the Medicine Buddha is hidden in the closed lotus petals. When musical fountain starts, the lotus petals will open, and the Medicine Buddha will rise slowly upwards in rotation. At the base of the Medicine Buddha fountain is the 12 protectors and surrounding the Medicine Buddha fountain are the eight Bodhisattvas as described in the Medicine Buddha Sutra.

Prayer Wheel Corridor

There are 108 Tibetan prayer wheels installed on the corridor for people to collect merits when they turn the wheels.

Xiangshui (Perfume) Nunnery

The original nunnery was built in 1600. It is said that during that time a girl from a Han family was very inclined towards Buddhism, and she only wanted to practice Dharma. Since there were not many temples in the area that time, her parents constructed the nunnery for her so she could do her practice and at the same time her parents could visit her anytime they wanted to.

When Nanshan Group rebuilt the nunnery on the same site in 1999, a very nice and pleasant scent dispersed when the old structure of the nunnery was pulled down. Hence, the nunnery is named Xiangshui (Perfume) Nunnery.

How to get there

By air

From Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin, Wuhan to Yantai International Airport.

By Bus

Once in Yantai, you can take a coach from the coach station near Yantai Train Station to Longkou City. The journey will take less than two hours.

When you arrive in Longkou City, you can take bus number 5 or bus number 105 from Longkou Train Station or coach station to Longkou Scenic Area.

By Taxi

You can also take a taxi from Longkou City to Longkou Scenic Area easily.

Opening hours: 7.30am – 6.00pm

Admission Fees
Adult: RMB120 (approximately USD18)
Children below 1.3 metre: Free admission

Additional Pictures

烟台市

点击放大

烟台市位于中国山东省东北部，它被誉为全国文明城市，虽然它不像北京或上海那样是大都市，但它美丽宜人的景色却让它成为全球最适合居住的地方之一。

明洪武三十一年（公元1398年），当地军民为了防止倭寇入侵，因此于临海北山上设狼烟墩台，亦称为“烽火台”。在军民发现敌情后，于白天升烟，夜晚则举火，作为警报信号，简称”烟台”。烟台山也因此得名。

龙口市是烟台市代管县级市，距离烟台市大约100公里。南山旅游风景区位于龙口市，其风景区有着世界最大的锡青铜坐佛。

龙口南山旅游风景区

龙口南山大佛位于中国山东省龙口南山旅游风景区

中国山东省龙口南山旅游风景区

龙口南山旅游风景区导览图 (点击放大)

龙口南山风景区在90年代由南山集团开发并发展。其建立风景区的主要目的除了促进旅游业之外，还有保护该山区的文化遗产。南山旅游风景区分三个主要部分：（一）中华历史、文化与宗教园；（二）东海旅游度假区；（三）主题公园。龙口南山旅游风景区不仅是个放松心情的好去处，也是一个进行灵修活动和寻找心灵上宁静历史母亲对孩子般的慈爱的好地方。

中华历史、文化和宗教园内的建设有南山大佛、南山寺、药师玉佛、南山华严世界和香水庵等。除了南山大佛为主要景点以外，另外还有两个著名的景物：室内药师玉佛和华严世界。

龙口南山大佛

龙口南山大佛，高38.55米（126尺），重380吨

龙口南山大佛选材锡青铜铸造高38.55米 （126尺），重380吨。它在2004年竣工，在同一年进行开光仪式。由于龙口南山大佛位于中国的东边，它也因此被称为东方佛。

这座锡青铜大佛由642块锡青铜铸件组合而成。访客必须行走360个阶梯，共58.66米（192尺）高，才能抵达龙口南山大佛跟前。

访客需逐级拾阶而上，历经6层共360级台阶到近处观摩南山大佛

龙口南山大佛结“施无畏印”与“满愿印”

龙口南山大佛的右手结“施无畏印”，代表无畏、平安和抚慰；左手结“满愿印”，表示布施、赠予、恩惠、接受。“满愿印”具有慈悲的意思，所以往往与“施无畏印”配合，象征佛为救济众生的大慈心愿，能使众生心安，无所畏怖，无忧无虑，且满足和实现众生所有的愿望。

龙口南山大佛慈悲的双眼凝望着众生，微微扬起的嘴角让你无论是站在远处或近处，都能感受到他如母亲对孩子般的慈爱。

龙口南山大佛其实在30年前就由几位当地的农民发起建造，随后另外20名村民也加入造佛的工作。后来这个计划由南山集团接手，成为龙口南山旅游风景区其中一个发展计划。

功德殿

许多善心人士慷慨捐款资助龙口南山大佛的建设。凡是捐献200元人民币或以上者，都可在殿内留名。南山寺的僧伽都会定时为功德主祈福回向。

万佛殿

万佛殿内供奉了9,999尊南山大佛的小佛像，由浇铸南山大佛所余之铜材铸造。这9,999尊小佛像和南山大佛共成10,000尊佛。信徒们可以迎请这些小佛像或寄名供养于万佛殿。

佛教历史博物馆

佛教历史博物馆占地1,800平方米（19,375尺）。博物馆利用文字介绍，文物、图片、多媒体等各种陈展形式展示了佛教如何从印度传入中国以及佛教在不同时期的发展。许多珍贵的舍利和佛教圣物也都在这里展出。

南山药师玉佛

南山药师玉佛采用缅甸玉铸造，高13.66米（45尺），重660吨；于2005年进行开光仪式，为中国境内最高的室内玉制药师佛。南山药师玉佛安放在一座三层楼的南山药师玉佛殿，佛像位于第三层。

舍利塔内的佛牙舍利和高僧舍利

舍利殿

南山玉佛殿的一楼为舍利殿，其中展示超过1,000件来自不同传承的佛教圣物。最珍贵的是供奉在金舍利塔内的佛牙舍利和玉舍利塔里的高僧舍利。

扶梯两侧的500罗汉像

南山药师玉佛殿的入口处

庄严的南山药师玉佛

南山药师玉佛殿的二楼是药师佛坛城，三楼就是南山药师玉佛所在之处。南山药师玉的佛周围安有六尊不同颜色的药师佛像。这里是人们祈求疗愈、健康和长寿的理想地方。

南山禅寺

南山禅寺入口处

南山禅寺的前身是石泉寺，建于唐朝（公元7到10世纪）贞观年间。它是龙口市最古老，也是最著名的禅寺。南山禅寺在1999年按照其原貌重建，至今仍然保持该寺原来的面貌。南山禅寺占地40,000平方米（131,000平方尺），建筑面积9,800平方米（32,000平方尺）。

在南山禅寺内有弥勒殿、大雄塔、圆通殿、藏经阁。禅寺外沿着东路有钟楼、地藏殿、伽蓝殿和东方三圣殿，西路有菩提殿、文殊殿、鼓楼、大师殿、西方三圣殿殿、普贤殿、大雄宝殿。

南山华严世界

南山华严世界一名取自法身佛毗卢遮那佛国净土，占地115,000平方米（377,000平方尺），建筑面积5,500平方米（18,000平方尺）。

南山华严世界主要景点为五方五佛殿、药师颂动感音乐喷泉和转经回廊。

五方五佛殿

五方五佛殿

毗卢遮那佛

阿閦佛（不动如来）

药师颂动感音乐喷泉

药师动感音乐喷泉的中央有高19.6米（64尺）的药师佛像。当药师动感音乐喷泉处在静止状态时，药师佛就隐藏在莲花瓣内。当药师动感音乐喷泉启动时，药师佛就会缓缓上升，继而旋转。喷泉的下方有12尊神将，围绕着药师佛四周的是《药王经》中的八大菩萨：文殊师利菩萨，观世音菩萨，得大势菩萨，无尽意菩萨，宝檀华菩萨，药王菩萨，药上菩萨，弥勒菩萨。

转经回廊旁是由108个藏式转经筒所组成，旨在让人们修积大量的功德

转经回廊

香水庵于1600时期建成。据说当时有一户韩姓家庭的女儿一心只想修行，由于僧尼庵并不多，于是家人动用资财建起了一座庙宇让女儿修佛的同时也方便家人探访。

当南山集团在1999年进行重修僧尼庵工程时，在将旧有的结构拆卸后，一股香气扑鼻，僧尼庵因此被命名为香水庵。

怎么到达龙口南山风景区

巴士

从烟台市，可以到靠近烟台火车站的巴士站乘坐巴士到龙口市，路程不到两个小时。
在抵达龙口市后，可以在龙口火车站或客车站乘坐5号或10号公车到龙口南山风景区。

的士

从龙口市也可以乘坐的士到龙口南山风景区

开放时间
7.30am – 5pm

入门票
成人：人民币120元（约18美元）
身高1.3米以下儿童：免费

更多的图片

Sources:

• “多视角下的南山大佛”, http://bbs.fengniao.com, http://bbs.fengniao.com/forum/3256008.html (accessed: 5 May 2019)
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• “烟台龙口南山景区”, https://baike.baidu.com, https://baike.baidu.com/item/烟台龙口南山景区/18847476 (accessed: 5 May 2019)
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For more interesting information:

• 900 Years Old Dafo Temple of the Grand Reclining Buddha in China
• The Gigantic Maitreya Buddha of Xumishan Grottoes, China
• The Imperial Tomb of Emperor Kangxi
• Ganden Sumtseling Monastery the beautiful
• Kizil Grottoes – The Thousand-Buddha Caves
• New Nalanda University in China!
• 北京雍和宫
• 五台山朝圣之旅
• 五台山——文殊菩萨人间道场
  
• 中国大佛
• 到香港大屿山去朝圣的缘起

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