Taoist Park Heavenly Grottoes
Taoist Heavenly Grottoes Park or, as it is also called, Dong Tian Park is located at the foot of the South Mountain near the city of Sanya, a world-famous resort in Hainan Province. This ancient place combines the beauty of natural nature and the holiness of Taoist teachings. The park area covers approximately 23 square kilometers.
History of the Taoist Heavenly Grottoes Park
This place is rich in caves and famous for the grottoes in which the gods lived, as it is written in the sacred texts of the teachings of Taoism. There were about fifty such grottoes and 70 caves called Dongtian. During the reign of the Song Dynasty Emperor in the 900s, two sacred grottoes called Greater Dongtian and Little Dongtian were discovered. Today, the location of only the second object is known. And the location of the Big Grotto has been lost and remains a mystery to this day.
Main areas of the park
Dongtian Grottoes ─ this is the very place where the grottoes are located. In them you can touch the other world and hear the voice of immortal souls. The teachings of Taoism originated here. A sacred place for followers of this religion. The southern mountain is surrounded by greenery. Longevity pines grow here, more than six thousand years old. Therefore, this zone is called the mountain of longevity.
Sea wonders are the most popular place for beautiful photographs. The seashore is decorated with boulders that look stunning in the rays of the setting sun. The South China Sea Dragon King Temple is where the statue of the Dragon King is located. There is a legend that this mythical creature brings good luck to everyone in the house. Believers come to the temple to worship him.
The Wall of Records is one of the most interesting areas in the Taoist Heavenly Grottoes Park. The wall depicts sacred texts inscribed on the stone surface many centuries ago. Nearby you can see a statue of the Divine Turtle. On the back of this turtle, the Taoists painted an image of the god of writing, Kuixing. It is believed that this god marks those who have talent in writing. The Natural History Museum has collected dinosaur remains and rare fossils, unique exhibits throughout China. Also in the museum you can see what our planet Earth looked like 140 million years ago.
Other attractions of the park
Walking through the Taoist Heavenly Grottoes Park, every visitor will be surprised by the beauty of the landscapes, which have their own characteristics at every step. You can walk on foot, exploring every corner without haste, or you can use the services of an electric car. On the territory of the Taoist Park Heavenly Grottoes there are many alleys, sculptures and plants, the age of which is calculated in thousands of years. Here, every place has its own history.
This place is also notable for the fact that the largest number of negatively charged ions is concentrated here, which has a beneficial effect on human health. During the second lunar day in February, celebrations are held here in honor of an important event: it is believed that on this day the Dragon raises its head. On holidays, prayers are said and celebrations take place here. On the shore, local residents have organized small open restaurants and hotels where you can eat and stay overnight, so that you have the opportunity to take your time and explore the entire territory of the Taoist Heavenly Grottoes Park.
