The 10,000 Buddhas Monastery in Shatin is often overlooked by many tourists to Hong Kong. After all, how many of us will bother riding the East Rail Line all the way up the New Territories? But am telling you it’s well worth the visit if you want something out of the ordinary from the hustle and bustle of HK.
The entrance is impressive enough. There are approximately 500 golden life-size statues lining the pathway. One couldn’t help but be amazed, if not amused, with their different poses and expressions.
Prepare to exercise. I regretted not wearing appropriate clothing because I didn’t know what to expect, but I hiked just the same. The airy vegetarian restaurant in the middle of the climb makes for a nice pitstop. They have drinks, sweets and food.
Walking uphill for 20 to 30 minutes will lead you to the main pavilion….
But before entering the temple, it’s well worth it to explore the surrounding area which is highlighted by this nine-storey pagoda….
Surrounding the pagoda are more impressive figures of Buddhist deities like Manjushri and Samantabhadra. I should read about them more.
Anyway, the temple proper was a very solemn affair.Taking photos was prohibited but I managed to take stolen shots just to give you an idea how it is inside. The chandeliers and the golden Buddha statues were breathtaking!
If the Nanzoin Buddha in Japan was a giant, the 10,000 Buddhas were the complete opposite. So tiny that they must have been meticulously made. Ensconced in their shelves, they completely adorned the large walls of the temple.
Filipino delegation to the 10,0000 Buddhas Monastery, LOL. It was nice to meet new friends along the way.
This tarp shows information and opening hours of the monastery:
How to go to Ten Thousand Buddhas:
Ride the MTR East Rail Line to Shatin. Head for Exit B where the bus terminus is. Walk down a ramp and find your way to Home Center Shopping Mall with the IKEA inside. On the ground floor of this mall, you can ask for the nearest exit which will lead you to the entrance of 10,000 Buddhas. For a little walk and once out of the mall, the small sign looks like this… keep walking till you find the entrance.
Beautiful! Will go there next time I go to HK!
I have never heard of this place before so thank you for sharing! It looks like a fascinating place to visit in Hong Kong so thanks for all of your detailed tips & info on how to get there! 🙂 Happy & safe travels to you!