Nansha Tianhou Palace (南沙天后宫), also known as the Mazu Temple (妈祖庙), is located in Guangzhou, China, and spans an impressive area of 180,000 square meters. Its origins date back to the Ming Dynasty when the original Tianfei Ancient Temple was built in Lujiang Village. During the Qing Dynasty, the temple underwent renovations and was renamed Yuanshun Ancient Temple. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by Japanese aircraft during World War II.
In 1994, Mr. Huo Yingdong initiated and funded the reconstruction of the Nansha Tianhou Palace. The grand reopening ceremony took place on May 10, 1996, which coincided with the birthday of Tianhou (Mazu), celebrated on the 23rd day of the third lunar month.
Nansha Tianhou Palace is dedicated to Lin Mo, the goddess of the sea, and serves as a cultural exchange center for Mazu culture in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It is also recognized as the largest Mazu temple in Southeast Asia. The palace features a symmetrical layout in the style of Qing Dynasty architecture, built into the landscape with varied heights. The complex consists of a plaza, main palace, and the Nanling Pagoda. The architectural design beautifully combines the grandeur of the Forbidden City in Beijing and the majestic spirit of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, making it the largest of its kind in the world today.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Nansha Tianhou Palace
- Vlog about Nansha Tianhou Palace
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 20 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.30 (Sunday – Friday) 8.30 – 22.00; Last admission: 21.30 (Saturday) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-020-84981223 0086-020-39915555 |
Location and Transportation
Tianhou Palace is located at 88 Tianhou Road, Nansha District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. It sits at the southeastern foothills of Dajiao Mountain, positioned in the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, adjacent to the Lingding Ocean at the Pearl River estuary. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus Nansha 18, Nansha 19, Nansha 3, or Nansha 53, get off at Nansha Bay Hub Stop (南沙湾总站), and walk about 500 meters to the southeast.
Metro: The closest metro station to the Tianhou Palace is Nansha Passenger Terminal (南沙客运港) on line 4. After getting out of the station from Exit B, walk about 900 meters to the southeast to reach the attraction.
Highlights of Nansha Tianhou Palace
Tianhou Palace Square
Tianhou Palace Square covers an area of 15,000 square meters and features a prominent statue of the goddess Tianhou, facing the vast ocean to bless fishermen for safe and prosperous voyages. This magnificent stone sculpture stands 14.5 meters tall and is composed of 365 intricately carved granite blocks, symbolizing the goddess’s year-round protection over the nation and its people.
Palace Complex
Located behind Tianhou Palace Square, the Guangzhou Nansha Tianhou Palace showcases a symmetrical layout in the style of Qing Dynasty architecture, harmoniously integrated into the mountainous landscape. The main entrance to the architectural complex is marked by a grand archway, leading to the mountain gate, which serves as the primary entrance to Tianhou Palace. Inside, the temple houses the statues of “Qianli Yan” (the One Thousand Li Eye) and “Shunfeng Er” (the Shunfeng Ear), deities known for their ability to see and hear far and wide.
On either side of the mountain gate are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, where the bell and drum are struck at designated times. Above the mountain gate lies the Offering Hall, dedicated to the “Sea-Walking Tianhou,” flanked by the Four Sea Dragon Kings, who hold jade tablets.
The central hall, the heart of Tianhou Palace, features a wooden carved shrine that houses a 3.8-meter tall statue of Tianhou, intricately carved from fragrant wood and gilded in gold. Notably, this hall also includes historical figures as accompanying deities, a unique addition to the traditional setup. Within the central hall lies the Sleeping Hall, believed to represent Tianhou’s living quarters. A loom is specially placed in this hall to symbolize the legend of how Tianhou saved her father from danger while weaving at the age of 15.
Nanling Pagoda
The Nanling Pagoda stands as the highest point of the entire Nansha Tianhou Palace complex, situated to the upper right of the Sleeping Hall, overlooking the Pearl River estuary. This pagoda has witnessed the changing tides of Nansha for decades. Standing at 45 meters tall, it features an octagonal design and consists of eight stories. The choice of eight stories, contrary to the traditional odd-numbered towers for male deities, follows an unwritten rule in folklore: male deities are associated with odd numbers, while female deities, such as Tianhou, are linked with even numbers, with eight being the highest among them.
From the Nanling Pagoda, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Guangzhou Nansha Tianhou Palace and the waters of the Humen Port, serving not only as a scenic lookout but also as a navigational aid for vessels in the area.
