Xiao Nanhai (Little South Sea)

Xiao Nanhai, also known as South Lake, lies in the southeast corner outside the county seat. It originated from low-lying pits left after earth was dug for dike construction over successive dynasties, which gradually filled with water and turned into a lake.

After nearly 600 years of construction from the Ming to the Qing dynasties, a scenic area covering more than one thousand mu took shape. Bounded by the Ruhe River in the east, the main dike in the south, the Wuying Pagoda in the west and the city moat in the north, the zone features numerous lakes of varying sizes crisscrossed by brooks, alongside Buddhist temples and pavilions. With rockeries, bamboo groves, arched bridges over flowing water, winding paths and lotus ponds, it ranked as the top scenic spot of ancient Runing Prefecture.

In old times, Xiao Nanhai boasted rippling blue waves, singing birds and blooming flowers. Towers stood facing one another, the sound of Buddhist chants lingered in the air, and pilgrims and visitors streamed in endlessly. Its splendid scenery brought great glory to Runan and attracted countless literati who came to tour and compose poems. Literary giants including Li Shangyin, Yan Zhenqing, Han Yu, Liu Zongyuan, Qin Guan, Su Shi, Ouyang Xiu and He Jingming once visited Runan for various reasons, leaving behind widely admired prose, poems, calligraphy and paintings inspired by the scenery of Xiao Nanhai and local events.

In the 24th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1545), a severe drought struck Runan. Prince Chongzhuang, who resided here, witnessed the dried-up Ruhe River, cracked land, withered crops and displaced common people. He set up an altar at Xiao Nanhai to pray for rainfall. Crowds flocked from all directions to join the prayer ceremony.

Suddenly, the merciful Goddess Guanyin appeared before the prince. He knelt down hastily and begged for her compassion. Dark clouds soon covered the sky. A gust of wind arose, followed by a torrential downpour.

The prince immediately allocated hundreds of thousands of taels of silver and ordered his officials Li Ming and Li Bao to build the Guanyin Pavilion at Xiao Nanhai. Later, local residents often prayed to Guanyin and their wishes were repeatedly fulfilled. Word spread quickly. Villagers, squires and local officials from nearby towns came to burn incense and pay homage, and the temple gradually flourished.

Especially on the 19th day of the second lunar month, the birthday of Guanyin, pilgrims gathered here from far and wide. Merchants, opera troupes and acrobats also swarmed in, turning the place into a bustling fair. This tradition has been carried on continuously since the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, making it one of the most renowned ancient temple fairs across the country.

Xiao Nanhai features both natural landscapes and ancient buildings. Starting from the Ming Dynasty, the Guanyin Pavilion, Cundi Tower, opera stage and other structures were erected, turning it into a famous Buddhist tourist resort in southern Henan. People of that time summarized its six iconic views: rockeries with pavilions, ancient cypresses twined with old vines, purple bamboos and green orchids, flower lawns, weeping willows along the dykes, and luxuriant woods beside the lake.

The original Guanyin Pavilion compound had a three-bay temple front gate (one bay refers to a structural unit supported by one pillar, roughly the size of a single room), with one side gate (back door) respectively on the south and west sides. Behind the front gate stood the three-bay Heavenly King Hall, flanked by bell towers of one bay each. Further inward was the Mahavira Hall. At the rear of the main hall stood the seven-bay Guanyin Pavilion, with five-bay covered corridors on its east and west wings, and meditation halls behind the pavilion.

The Guanyin Pavilion by South Lake was once a well-known scenic retreat, where numerous literati left poems and essays to praise its elegance. Time flies and vicissitudes have changed the world. After centuries of weathering, the former prosperity of the Guanyin Pavilion at Xiao Nanhai has long faded away. Today we can only catch a glimpse of its past glory from traditional Chinese paintings