Haiyun Nunnery (海云庵), also known as Datu Nunnery, was established during the Ming Dynasty and has a history of nearly 600 years. The structure features a brick and wood construction, characterized by gray brick walls, flying eaves, fine tiles, and intricately carved ancient doors. The name “Haiyun” reflects the meaning “the sea is the realm of dragons, and the clouds are the homeland of cranes.” Originally a Buddhist temple, it later transformed into a Taoist temple. Above the ancient entrance, the three characters “Haiyun Nunnery” were inscribed by Mr. Zhao Puchu, the former president of the China Buddhist Association.
The nunnery is surrounded by gray walls, with an interior that includes the main hall, east and west side halls, east and west wing rooms, as well as a bell tower and drum tower. A tall ancient ginkgo tree stands majestically within the courtyard, creating a serene atmosphere. The main hall houses a statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, while the side halls are dedicated to various deities, including the Dragon King, Guan Yu, Bi Gan, Laozi, and Luban.
In 1923, the nunnery underwent renovations that included the addition of a bell tower and drum tower. In recent years, a square has been established in front of the nunnery, making it the only Taoist temple in downtown Qingdao where religious activities are conducted.
Travel Information about Haiyun Nunnery
Ticket Information and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: 5 RMB
Opening Hours: 08:30 AM – 04:30 PM
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Haiyun Nunnery is during the Lantern Festival, which falls on the 16th day of the first lunar month. During this period, a grand candy ball festival is held, attracting large crowds and creating a lively atmosphere.
Transportation to the Scenic Area
Location: No. 1 Haiyun Street, Sifang District, Qingdao City.
Public Transport: Take bus routes 7, 373, or other lines to the Sifang Primary School stop, which is right by the nunnery.
Attraction Ratings
- Features: ★★★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★
- Beauty: ★★
- Thrills: ★
Highlights of Haiyun Nunnery
Main Hall
The Main Hall, also known as the Central Hall, has been renovated to create a new temple layout featuring three halls: the left, middle, and right halls in parallel. Above the main entrance hangs a plaque inscribed with “Return to the Shore” (later changed to “Nanhai Cloud Moon”). The stone columns are adorned with couplets related to Guanyin Bodhisattva’s compassion and ability to relieve suffering.
In the main hall, the central deity is a statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. To her right stands a statue of the Wealth Boy (Shancai Tongzi), and to her left is a statue of the Dragon Girl holding a sword. In front of the main altar, to the east, are the statues of the Child-giving Goddess and Grandfather, while to the west stand the statues of “Incomplete Charity” and Zhang Xian.
Additionally, the beams of the Main Hall are painted with two pairs of small dragons and six pairs of small lions. The walkways feature depictions of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, while the walls display scenes from the story of “Sun Wukong’s Havoc in Heaven.”
Left Hall
The Left Hall was constructed by relocating the original South Temple of Guan Di (the God of War) here after its dismantling. The top of the hall’s pillars is inscribed with the characters “The Sea of Bitterness Has No Bounds” (later changed to “Xie Tian Da Di,” meaning “Great Emperor of Cooperation”).
In the center of the hall stands the main deity, Guan Yu. To his left is the Dragon King, and to his right is Bi Gan, the God of Wealth. In front of the altar, two statues stand: Guan Ping on the left and Zhou Cang on the right, both revered figures associated with Guan Yu.
The walkways of the hall are decorated with paintings of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. Additionally, a sculpture of a pair of dragons playing with a pearl is featured, with a large red ball suspended between their heads, perfectly positioned above the statue of Guan Yu.
The walls are adorned with scenes from the classic novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.” Previously, when the deity statues in the East Hall were damaged, a silver piece representing the five organs was retrieved from the belly of the Guan Yu statue, interconnected with silver chains. There is also a 3,000-character scripture known as “The Sutra of Guan Sheng Di Jun Moving Mountains.”
Right Hall
The Right Hall was also constructed later, and it features a main altar dedicated to the Deity of Virtue (Laozi). To the left of the altar stands Lu Ban, the patron of craftsmen, while to the right is Hou Ji, the agricultural deity. Above the entrance to this hall hangs a new plaque inscribed with “Universal Salvation” (later changed to “Teaching the People About Agriculture”).
The beams of the hall are adorned with paintings of two small dragons and intricate patterns. The walkways showcase paintings of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, while the surrounding walls depict scenes from the classic novels “Investiture of the Gods” and “The Ten Yama Kings.”
Along with the construction of these three halls, the temple’s surrounding walls, mountain gate, screen wall, bell tower, drum tower, and facilities for Taoist priests, such as kitchens and dormitories, were also built. Above the main entrance to the mountain gate, there is a plaque featuring the golden characters “Haiyun Nunnery.” Additionally, in front of the main hall, a platform has been constructed, which holds a large round incense burner.
Great Ginkgo Tree
The Great Ginkgo Tree is located about ten meters in front of the Right Hall and was planted after the temple’s establishment. It currently stands at a height of 20 meters, with a crown diameter of approximately 20 meters and a chest circumference of nearly 1.5 meters. In 1949, a small ginkgo tree sprouted from the roots of the large tree.
Having withstood the test of time, the Great Ginkgo Tree has survived multiple lightning strikes. At the end of 1982, it was designated as a protected cultural relic by the city of Qingdao and was included in the city’s list of notable ancient trees.
Yugu Nunnery
Approximately five kilometers northeast of Haiyun Nunnery lies the Yugu Nunnery, historically known as Huangde Nunnery. This nunnery is located in the southeastern part of Cuobuling Village and is said to have been built by the Tang Dynasty Taoist priest Yuan Tiangang and his half-brother Li Chunfeng.
In the early Ming Dynasty, members of the Yu family settled in this area, gradually forming Cuobuling Village. One of the family’s daughters became a nun and rebuilt the temple on the site of the original Huangde Nunnery, renaming it Yugu Nunnery.
The nunnery underwent renovations and expansions in 1908 and 1943, resulting in the construction of 25 halls and rooms, including the Four Heavenly Kings Hall, the Three Saints Hall, the Guanyin Hall, and the Ksitigarbha Hall, after which it was converted into a Buddhist nunnery. The temple holds a popular fair on the eleventh day of the first lunar month each year, attracting many visitors.
Candy Ball Square
Candy Ball Square serves as the main venue for the Haiyun Nunnery Candy Ball Fair, which takes place annually on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month. Spanning a large area, the square becomes a bustling hub during this festive time, attracting local residents who come to offer incense, make wishes, and pay homage to the deities.
Artists from various regions gather to perform, while vendors set up stalls to sell their goods, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere filled with crowds. In recent years, a Folk Culture Museum has been added to the square, showcasing the folk customs of Qingdao and the wider Shandong region, further enriching the cultural ambiance of Candy Ball Square.
Haiyun Street
Haiyun Street is an ancient-style street rich in folk culture, showcasing a vibrant atmosphere of traditional aesthetics. Lining the street are buildings designed in classic styles, featuring soaring eaves and steep gables. The street is adorned with shops characterized by vermilion doors and glazed tiles, as well as a food street offering local delicacies. Additionally, covered bridges connect various pavilions along the street, enhancing its old-world charm.
Haiyun Nunnery Sugar Ball Festival
The Haiyun Nunnery Sugar Ball Festival is an annual temple fair held at Haiyun Nunnery. The exact origins of the festival are unclear, but it has become a local tradition where people, after finishing their agricultural and fishing activities following the Lunar New Year, visit the temple to pray for safety and blessings. The festival is set on the 16th day of the Lunar New Year, which coincides with the first significant tidal day of the year.
During the festival, numerous vendors sell sugar balls, especially those made by local residents from hawthorn, red dates, Chinese yam, and oranges. In Chinese culture, the color red symbolizes good fortune, making these large red sugar balls particularly popular for consumption before heading out to sea, as people hope for a prosperous journey. This practice has led to the establishment of a tradition of eating sugar balls during the festival, which is why it has been named the “Haiyun Nunnery Sugar Ball Festival.”
In recent years, the festival has grown in scale and duration, extending to nine days by 2011. The event attracts vendors and visitors from all over the country, creating a lively atmosphere. In 2005, the festival was recognized as one of China’s “Top Ten Folk Festivals,” highlighting its cultural significance and popularity.