Penglai Pavilion----- One of the Four Great Towers of China

Penglai Pavilion or Penglai Pagoda is a famous tower in Penglai, Shandong. It is noted as one of the Four Great Towers of China. It is known as the landing place of the Eight Immortals and famous for its occasional mirages. The dividing line between the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea is also marked and clearly visible from the area. The corresponding tourism area is classified as a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.

It is said that Penglai was the place that Emperor Qin Shi Huang looked for the elixir of life, and the place where the great Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24) paid his sacred visit. In addition, the legend of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea adds more mysterious atmosphere to this place. The legend goes that the eight immortals crossed the sea using their special powers after they got drunk in the Penglai Pavilion.

 

Penglai Pavilion has been regarded as a 'Fairyland' since ancient times. It is a complex that includes Sanqing Palace, Lvzu Palace, Tianhou Palace, Longwang (Dragon King) Palace and Mituo Si (Amitabha Temple). In the pavilion, numerous calligraphic works by famous writers, couplets hung on the columns of the hall, and stone inscriptions can be seen everywhere, as it was once the gathering place for many renowned scholars and poets. The Pavilion is a very good place to witness a magical mirage because it often occurs here, and it is also a good place to appreciate the magnificent scene of the sun rising in the morning.

Under the pavilion is the Penglai Water City built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). To the east of pavilion is a museum with an ancient style garden. It exhibits cultural relics, and is the second museum in China with ancient ships as its subject.

Besides enjoying seeing the area, visitors can experience local customs. Temple Fair is a traditional annual activity. January 16th by the lunar calendar is regarded as Tianhou's birthday, so local people from near and far go to Tianhou Palace to pray. At that time, locals present a wonderful performance.

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