Overview
This tour will take you to Meizhou Island which is known for being the birthplace of the goddess Matsu. Mazu is a very important and historic figure in Putian's people's heart. In Fujian, people here usually worships Godness Matsu instead of other gods or goddesses. Immerse yourself in the nature and Buddhist Culture while exploring Guanghua Temple whose layout is magnificent with the outer screen wall, Emperor Hall, and the Great Buddha's Hall forming the central axis running north to south.
Why travelers book this
What's Included
- Experienced tour guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Driver with private car
- Bottled water
- Ferry tickets
- Admission tickets
What's Not Included
- Gratuities(optional)
- Lunch
Meeting & Pickup
Meeting point, pickup options and start time are confirmed on Viator before checkout.
Itinerary
Stop 1
Your guide and driver will pick you up in your hotel lobby at your chosen departure time and drive about 2.5 hours to Putian. You will visit Guanghua Temple first. It was built in the Southern Dynasties (420-589) and became well known in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). During the height of its glory in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), over one thousand monks and nuns practiced Buddhism at this temple. Guanghua Temple covers an area of 33 hectares. The buildings are arranged around a central axis, 421 yards long: among these are Screen Wall, Mountain Gate, āFreeing Captive Animalās Pondā, "Heavenly King Hallā, "Hall of Mahaviraā, Depositary of Buddhist Books, and Wofo (Sleeping Buddha) Hall. The Hall of Mahavira is grand and majestic, being regarded as the top one among famous Buddhist temples in Fujian.
Stop 2
Then come to Wenjia Wharf and then take a ferry to board Meizhou Island. Upon your arrival, you will reach the Meizhou Ancestral Temple of Goddess Matsu first. Mazu temple is one of the places you have to go when you're traveling in Fujian. Mazu is a very important and historic figure in Putian's people's heart. In Fujian, it usually worships Godness Matsu instead of other gods or goddesses. Meizhou Ancestral Temple of Goddess Matsu was originally built in 987 during the Northern Song Dynasty. There are many prayers coming and spending much of their time in prayer and supplication. Then head to Mazu Cultural Park is quite closed to the Ancestral Temple. On the top of the mountain in the park stands a huge stone statue in 14 meters high, as well as a stone carvings and temple building complex. If you take a boat and watch them from far away, these buildings and carvings kind of look like āthe Potala Palace on the seaā, very magnificent. The Meizhou Ancestral Temple of Goddess Matsu and the Cultural Park are all sited in the northern part of the island, so you can visit them both together. The other major tourism items of the island include: the Tide Music of Meizhou Island, Erwei Holy Stone Park and Jiubaolan Golden Beach etc. If you have enough time, you can also visit some of them (own expense) . Then your private driver will drive you back to your hotel safely.
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels