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All Taiwan Green Island Guanyin Cave

Guanyin Cave

Hidden in a cave on a small Taiwanese island, a stalagmite reported to look like the bodhisattva Guanyin.

Green Island, Taiwan

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Guanyin Cave on Green Island   Wei-Te Wong / CC BY-SA 2.0
Guanyin Cave on Green Island   Wei-Te Wong / CC BY-SA 2.0
Guanyin Cave on Green Island   Wei-Te Wong / CC BY-SA 2.0
Guanyin   gettyhesse / Atlas Obscura User
Guanyin beside her offerings   lienyuan lee
Cave Entrance   Outlookxp
Paifang, or Gate   Dquai
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About

Guanyin, a bodhisattva sometimes called the "Goddess of Mercy," is revered by Chinese practitioners of Buddhism, Daoism, and folk religion alike as a savior of fishermen and sailors. Appropriate, then, that a small island off the coast of Taiwan would have a pilgrimage site dedicated to her.  

In a sacred cave hidden in the hills of Green Island, the slow process of erosion by dripping water has, over the course of tens of thousands of years, created a stalagmite said by some to resemble the bodhisattva. A minor pilgrimage industry has sprouted, as worshippers come to the cave from across Taiwan to burn incense and give offerings.

Those who step into the cave will see an underground river drifting past. Though there is no temple, a traditional Chinese gate stands outside the entrance of the cave, and a gift shop sells trinkets nearby.

Related Tags

Sacred Spaces Islands Fishing Caves Buddhism

Know Before You Go

The cave is freely accessible. Just remember to be respectful, as it is a place of worship.

Community Contributors

Added By

gettyhesse

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

May 1, 2024

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Guanyin Cave
Lvdao Township
Green Island, 951
Taiwan
22.671427, 121.506476

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Photo of Green Island

Green Island

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Photo of Green Island

Green Island

Taiwan

Places 5

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