The relation between Nanshan (the South Mountain) and Guan Yin bodhisattva (Buddha) is predestined and historically extended so long. It is said that among the Guanyin Bodhisattva’s 12 wishes, the second was to live in the South China Sea. Hence，Guanyin is also called South Sea Guanshiyin. Nanshan, located at the coast of South China Sea, resembles a huge legendary turtle, for which it was called Aoshan and deemed as Guanyin’s riding animal in ancient times. In Qiongzhou, the legend has passed for long that Guanyin has ever made the tour to the South China Sea in her effort to save the miserable masses. Everyone in this area praises her for her benevolence. According to the legend, the two islands Dongmao and Ximao were formed of some clay carelessly dropped by Guanyin when she flew with it on her tour of salvation.

      In 1993, the construction of Nanshan Temple project was officially approved by Religious Affairs Bureau of the State Council of China and the government of Hainan Province. Meanwhile, a 108-meter-high Guanyin statue was agreed to be built at sea in front of Nanshan Temple. On 19^th day of the 9^th lunar month of 1999, a grand starting ceremony for construction was held in Nanshan. It took 6 years to build the statue which was finally completed on 15th, April, 2005. On 24th, April, (16th day of 3rd lunar month, the birthday of Cundhi Bodhisattva), a grand and solemn opening ceremony (or a consecration ceremony) was held for celebration.

    Due to its magnificent scale, outstanding meaning and colorful buddhist background, the statue project is referred to as worldwide and centurial. The three sided statue of Guan Yin Buddha The statue is three-sided integration, with three connected portraits holding in hands a strand of Buddha beads, a lotus and a small case, respectively representing benevolence, peace and wisdom. The statue, built on a lotus throne with 108 petals, looks very sacred. Beneath the throne stands Jinggangtai, inside of which is Yuantong Palace with a size of 1500 square meters. Jinggangzhou, linked to the land by the 280-meter-long Puji Bridge, together with Guanyin Square of 6000 square meters and the theme park extending on both sides, forms the scenic zone “Guanyin JinYuan”, totaling 300,000 square meters.

    Through some high-tech techniques of electronically integrating sounds and lights, the grand lighting night scene artistically gives a full display for such Buddhism cultural highlights concerning Guany as “Buddha’s light illuminating universally” and “arrival by stepping on the sea surface”.