62 Malaysians' Sun Wukong Pilgrimage Dream Fulfilled at Mount Huaguo

I had just entered the travel industry that year, and most of my days were spent handling routine inquiries for beach resorts or city sightseeing. Then, one day, an email from Malaysia made me stop everything I was doing.

In the email, a middle-aged man wrote calmly and sincerely that he and 61 of his family members wanted to come to China for a special pilgrimage to Mount Huaguo and a few temples dedicated to the Great Sage, Sun Wukong. He explained that his family had been devoted to Sun Wukong for generations, regarding him as a deity who protects the family and wards off evil.

To be honest, my first reaction was surprise, and even some hesitation. In our common understanding, Sun Wukong is a fictional character, a mythological figure. How could he be an object of faith? But I quickly realized that this was a real and deeply held spiritual belief. For this client, the trip was far more than just "tourism."

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Researching Mount Huaguo and Sun Wukong Temple

So, I began to truly understand Mount Huaguo. Before this, the name was just a childhood memory from Journey to the West, a vague geographical marker. As I researched, I learned that Mount Huaguo in Lianyungang Jiangsu is widely considered one of the prototypes for Wu Cheng'en's story. The mountain is home not only to scenic spots like Water Curtain Cave and San Yuan Palace but also has a deep foundation of folk belief.

Local people have a tradition of worshipping the Monkey King that has continued to this day. I also discovered that there are many temples dedicated to the Great Sage in Fujian and Taiwan, but to many believers, Lianyungang's status as the "birthplace" is irreplaceable.

To ensure the itinerary truly honored their faith, I read through countless local records and articles on folklore. I even contacted staff from the local cultural center to ask about specific rituals, offerings, and taboos. I learned that some devout believers would light incense at a specific time, paying close attention to direction and order. Some would bring miniature Ruyi Jingu Bang (the Monkey King's staff) replicas to pray for blessings. Others would quietly say their family members' names in front of a stone tablet, asking for protection.

These details might seem insignificant to an outsider, but to believers, they are essential rituals that connect the sacred to the everyday.

Ultimately, I planned a pilgrimage route centered on Mount Huaguo.

The group would enter through the mountain gate in the morning, walk slowly along the ancient path, passing by sites like the Wa Yi Stone and Water Curtain Cave, and then arrive at the Great Sage Hall near San Yuan Palace. I specifically arranged for them to arrive at the main hall around nine in the morning, which locals believe is the time when positive energy is strongest and most suitable for worship. I also confirmed with the scenic area that they could bring their own offerings like fruit and incense and suggested they prepare red ribbons to tie to old trees as a symbol of their prayers.

Before they departed, I also prepared a special gift for the group: a Great Sage Sun Wukong keychain. It was a small token meant to wish them a journey filled with peace and good fortune.

The Journey to See "Great Sage"

When the group of 62 Malaysian visitors finally set foot on Mount Huaguo, I followed the guide's daily updates closely.

I later learned that they lingered for a long time in front of Water Curtain Cave. Some said they could almost hear the sound of scriptures being chanted from behind the waterfall. Others knelt before the statue of the Great Sage, tears streaming down their faces, quietly speaking of their family's hardships over the years and their prayers. One elderly woman, with trembling hands, took a small replica of a Ruyi Jingu Bang from her cloth bag and respectfully placed it on the offering table, saying it was made by her grandmother and had been passed down for three generations.

That day, the entire mountain seemed to be quiet. Their movements were slow and solemn, and the incense smoke curled up, winding through the ancient trees like a silent conversation.

After the journey, the client sent a long message of feedback. He said it was the most complete and solemn pilgrimage their family had had in years. They saw the legendary holy land, and every detail of their experience was handled meticulously. They were not treated as objects of curiosity but were respected as true practitioners of their faith. "We didn't come to see the sights," he wrote, "we came to see 'Great Sage."

True professionalism isn't just about how many sights you know or how many resources you have. It's about being able to step into another person's world and understand a devotion that outsiders can hardly perceive. Behind every trip, there may be an untold story and a wish buried deep in someone's heart.