Nestled in Miaotou Village of Huangpu District, the Nanhai God Temple stands as China’s last surviving imperial sea shrine – a 1,400-year-old time capsule preserving the legacy of ancient maritime trade. Known locally as Boluo Temple, this sprawling 30,000-sqm complex offers modern travelers direct access to the spiritual heart of the Maritime Silk Road’s origin point.
Sacred Grounds Through the Ages
Dating back to the Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE), this nationally protected heritage site (listed as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level since 2006) witnessed imperial envoys conducting sacred sea rituals. Visitors today can trace imperial footsteps through its axial layout – from the imposing Qing-era “Calm Seas” stone archway to the reconstructed 1953 Sunbathing Pavilion offering panoramic views of Guangzhou’s skyline.
Every March, the temple grounds erupt in color during the Boluo Dan Festival when 100,000+ pilgrims converge for:
Traditional “Boluo Chicken” crafts believed to channel divine blessings,
Boluo Chicken (波罗鸡 bōluó jī) – colorful paper crafts symbolizing luck
Dragon dances swirling through seven ceremonial courtyards
Rare glimpses of the temple’s sacred jade seal and Han Dynasty bronze drums
Why This Matters
As the largest intact sea temple in China, this living monument breathes life into textbook Silk Road history. Its weathered stones still carry the salt spray of merchant junks that once carried Chinese porcelain to distant continents. Come feel the spiritual energy that inspired generations of sailors – and still captivates modern explorers.
📍 ADDRESS & TRANSPORT
🏠 Address:
Nanhai God Temple (南海神庙 / Nánhǎi Shénmiào)
Miaotou Village, Huangpu District, Guangzhou
Local name: “Boluo Temple” (波罗庙 / Bōluó Miào)
How to get to Guangzhou Nanhai God Temple
🚇 By Metro (Best Option):
Take Line 13 (light yellow) to Nanhai God Temple Station (南海神庙站).
Use Exit C2, then walk 5 mins south to the temple gates.
🚖 By Taxi/Didi (Ride-Hail):
Show the driver this Chinese text:
“请到黄埔区南海神庙，庙头村。”
🎫 TICKETS & HOURS
💰 Admission Fee:
¥10 (adults)
Free for children under 1.2m (≈3.9 ft) & seniors 65+ (with ID).
💳 Payment Methods:
Cash (small bills like ¥10/¥20 preferred; exact change speeds entry).
Mobile Pay: WeChat Pay/Alipay (must have a China-linked bank card).
⏰ Opening Hours:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM).
Closed Mondays (except public holidays).
Festival Note: Extended hours during Boluo Dan Festival (March).
🚶 SUGGESTED ITINERARY
⏱️ Short Visit (1-2 Hours):
“Calm Seas” Stone Archway (Qing Dynasty) → Photo op with the temple’s iconic entrance.
Ceremonial Axis Walk → Pass through Head Gate, Main Hall, and Sacrificial Pavilion.
Sunbathing Pavilion → Climb for skyline views of the Pearl River.
Ancient Trees & Steles → Spot 500-year-old kapoks and Su Shi’s poetry engravings.