Fengshan Mazu Temple (Fengshan Ancestor Temple)

Fengshan Mazu Temple, built during the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), is a famous Mazu Temple of Guangdong Province. Situated at the foot of Phoenix Hill, Shanwai City, the temple witnessed the history of Shanwei Harbor, and fully reflects the local customs, culture, arts and folk beliefs.

It combines religious culture, folk arts and natural seashore scenery, and it is widely accepted as a shrine by Shanwei people, the people of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau and overseas Chinese. As a symbolic building of the renowned Shanwei Harbor, the Fengshan Mazu Temple has become a must-see of the city. Facing the grand Pacific Ocean, the tourist attraction is surrounded by sea on three sides. In addition to the Mazu Temple, there are Phoenix Hill, Mazu Statue, Mazu Cultural Square, Mazu Museum and other scenic and cultural spots worth visiting.

Phoenix Hill, the highest peak southeast of the city, resembles a phoenix ready to take wing. Standing on the hill, you have a bird's eye view of the city and see Pinqing Lake, the largest semi-enclosed lagoon in China, which takes up 2,200 hectares (5,436 acres). The sky and the waters merge with each other, the busy boats and ships come and go like numerous spindles. In evening sunshine, the lake looks like a vast mirror, while the reflection of the hill adds to the scenic charm of the water.

Mazu Temple, constructed in the architectural style of Guangdong, displays the beautiful local folk arts of carving, clay sculpture and mural creation. The theatrical stage of the temple serves as an entertainment place for two grand temple fairs held every year, on the Lantern Festival and the birthday of Mazu. There is a lantern show on the Lantern Festival, and on the 23rd of lunar March, the birthday of Mazu, an excellent rare show of Chinese drama and other typical local folk performances are presented to crowds of visitors.

The Mazu Statue on the Phoenix Hill is the largest and most sublime Mazu stone sculpture on the Chinese Mainland. Having a height of 16.83 meters (55.22 feet), the stone statue is made of 468 high quality granite pieces from Mazu. Since the completion of the statue, millions of domestic and oversea tourists have come to see and marvel at this masterpiece of modern Chinese stone carving.

Mazu Museum is the first plastic arts gallery of China featuring Mazu, a legendary woman of Song Dynasty (960-1279). By employing modern multimedia, the museum represents the life, moving story and beautiful fairy tales of the Mazu. Mazu culture has significant meaning in the study of Chinese history, archaeology, folklore, religion and art. Besides, visitors can appreciate the fishermen's life by the exhibition of lifelike characters. In addition, Hailufeng facial makeup garden collects the facial makeups of all types of figures in rare operas in Shanwei such as Zhengzi Play, Xiqin Play and Baizi Play. Those who are interested in Chinese operas may pay a visit to this place.

Admission Fee:	CNY 10
Opening Hours:	7:00 - 18:30
Bus Route:	Bus No.3, 5