Nansha Tin Hau Palace (Nansha Mazu Temple)

Facing the Lingdingyang (Lingding Ocean), the mouth of the Pearl River, Nansha Tin Hau Palace is a mazu temple on the southeastern slope of the Dajiao Mountain in Nansha District, Guangzhou City and covers about 100 hectares (247.1 acres). The architecture combines both the style of the Forbidden City in Beijing and the sublimity of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum in Nanjing. It is the largest palace compound of its category in the world. It is reputed as the 'First Tin Hau Palace under Heaven' and the biggest Mazu Temple in southeastern Asia.
 

History of Nansha Tin Hau Palace

Nansha Tin Hau Palace was built to worship the Goddess of sea, also called Mazu (or Tianhou in Chinese, literally meaning Heavenly Empress) by the people, whose real name is Linmo (960-987). There are many touching stories about her helping people in shipwrecks, so she was thought to be the incarnation of the goddess of sea and was paid homage by over 100 million believers in more than twenty countries.

This palace was first built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), then was renovated during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1737-1795) in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), but was later ruined. The one we see now was rebuilt in 1994 and completed in 1996.
 

Tin Hau Square

When you arrive at Nansha Tin Hau Palace, you will first reach the Tin Hau Square which covers an area of 1.5 hectares (about 3.7 acres). At the center of the square stands a huge statue of the Goddess. The statue faces the Lingdingyang and is about 14.5 meters (about 47.6 feet) high, made of 365 pieces of granite. It symbolizes that mazu could bless fishermen and bring favorable weather for the whole year.
 

The Memorial Archway

Behind the square is the memorial archway, on which the name of the palace is written over the top, and some inscriptions written on both sides. Once you have gone through it, you will come to the main gate where honored the statues of two legendary immortals, Clairvoyance (thousand-mile eye) and clairaudience (wind-accompanying ear).
 

Hall of Blessing & Main Hall

Walking up the flagged path after entering the gate, you will come to the Hall of Blessing where a statue of the heavenly empress is honored. She is guarded by four Dragon Kings (the Gods of the sea) holding up a jade tablet and standing at each side. Then comes the Main Hall, the center of the whole palace. In the hall, two statues of the Goddess are honored in a shrine. One is 3.8 meters (about 12.5 feet) high, plated and carved from the fragrant sandalwood. The other is known as 'soft-body' statue, whose hand and foot joints are movable. The entire Main Hall is filled with a sense of benevolence and majesty, rectitude and holiness. Behind it is the Resting Hall, the living room of the Goddess, where a sitting sculpture of the goddess is displayed together with some simple instruments of her daily life.
 

Nanling Tower

At the very back of the Nansha Tin Hau Palace is the Nanling Tower, an 8-storey building. It rises to a height of 45 meters (about 148 feet) and is the highest point of the whole palace. There is an unwritten folklore spread widely among Chinese people that the code of a God is singular, while that of a Goddess is plural. Because of that, the number of all stories, steps and tiles there is plural.
 

Dajiao Mountain Forts

In addition, there are seven forts together called Dajiao Mountain Forts in Nansha Tin Hau Palace, which have been listed as national priority cultural relic protection sites in 1982. Additionally, the Free Life Pond is also worth a visit, where tourists could set free small creatures. Every year, this place attracts a lot of visitors by its charming scenic beauty and classical buildings. It definitely deserves a visit on your trip to Guangzhou.
 

How to get to Nansha Tin Hau Palace

1. Take metro Line 4 to Nansha Passenger Port, and then walk south for about 15 minutes to the palace.
2. Take bus Nan 4/ Nan 54 to Tianhougong Dongmen (East Gate of the palace).
3. Take bus Nan 3/ Nan 5/ Nan 18/ Nan 19/ Nan 53 to Nanshanwan and walk south for 10 minutes to get there.
Guangzhou Bus / Metro Search
 
Entrance Fee CNY 20
Opening Hours 08:30 - 17:00

- Last updated on Oct. 12, 2020 -
Questions & Answers on Nansha Tin Hau Palace (Nansha Mazu Temple)
Asked by An from GERMANY | Oct. 03, 2020 10:36Reply
how much time is needed to visit this Nansha Tin Hau Palace?
Answers (1)
Answered by Addison | Oct. 12, 2020 00:12
00Reply


The suggested sightseeing time is 2-3 hours.
Asked by Lina from THAILAND | Jun. 24, 2019 03:09Reply
I need to know that now Nansha Tin Hau Palace still close?
Answers (2)
Answered by Marie from AUSTRALIA | Jun. 25, 2019 02:16
00Reply


No, it is open now.
Answered by Chris from USA | Jun. 28, 2020 11:05
00Reply


We were just there it is not totally open. Still can not go in the buildings. Can go in the gate though.
Asked by INT from THAILAND | Jul. 24, 2017 05:11Reply
Can I take taxi from Shiqi station to Nansha Tin Hau Palace?
Shiqi station have taxi stop or not? and how about charges?
Answers (1)
Answered by Henry from USA | Jul. 24, 2017 23:50
00Reply


I am sorry that I have no idea whether there are special taxi stop at Shiqi Station. Generally, you can wave your hand to stop the taxi when you see an empty taxi passing by. The taxi fare may be around CNY120-130 in the day time.
Asked by LITTLE LOTTA from HK | Aug. 18, 2016 05:19Reply
From Jiaomen or Jinzhou subway station going to Nansha Tin Hau Palace to take the Nansha bus no. 4.
How long it will reach the place?
What is the schedule of the bus going there and coming back?
Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by George from USA | Aug. 19, 2016 00:52
00Reply


Hi, dear! The trip takes about 1 hour. The onward and return buses are available from 06:30 to 22:50. The frequency is 10 to 30 minutes. The fare is CNY 2.
Asked by Malaysia | Dec. 15, 2013 23:45Reply
How many minutes from landmark hotel canton to Nanshan Tianhou palace in Guangzhou?
Answers (1)
Answered by Kitty | Dec. 16, 2013 03:14
22Reply


It takes about three hours.
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