Nanhua

Nanhua is a toponym and institutional name derived from the Chinese characters 南華. Used in China and Taiwan, it can refer to religious sites, educational institutions, or other places. The precise meaning depends on context, but it is commonly associated with southern China or with cultural associations suggested by the character hua (flower, splendor).

One prominent use is Nanhua Temple (南华寺), a historic Buddhist temple in Foshan, Guangdong. Located in the Nanhai area, the temple traces its origins to the Liang Dynasty (5th–6th century) and is regarded as one of China’s oldest Buddhist temples. It has served as a major center for Chan (Zen) Buddhism in southern China and houses important cultural relics.

Nanhua University (南華大學) is a private university in Taiwan. Located in Chiayi County, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple disciplines and is part of Taiwan’s higher education system. The campus includes programs across the humanities, social sciences, design, and professional fields.

Beyond these, 南華 appears in various localities as a place name within China and Taiwan. The term is sometimes confused with Nanhai (南海), a different administrative unit in Guangdong. In any usage, Nanhua denotes a recognizable regional or institutional identity within the Chinese-speaking world.