The Tsz Shan Monastery in Hong Kong is probably the most unique and calming looking monastery that I have ever seen. In fact, two years ago when I was cycling along the Pak Shek Kok Promenade, next to Science Park in the New Territories, I saw a giant white statue in the distance. Until now, I had no idea that this giant white statue was part of the Tsz Shan Monastery.
I finally got close enough to the monastery get a better look, and does it look tranquil.
The Most Beautiful Monastery In Hong Kong
Here is a quick aerial tour of the Tsz Shan Monastery
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I’ve visited a couple of monasteries in Hong Kong, but haven’t seen any that is as picturesque as Tsz Shan Monastery. I personally think that the Tsz Shan Monastery is the most beautiful monastery in Hong Kong. The Chi Lin Nunnery and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery come close. But I think some of the Tsz Shan Monastery’s charm comes from being so secluded, and far away from the city.
The Guan Yin (Avalokitesvara) Statue
Standing next to the monastery is a 76 metre tall Guan Yin (Avalokitesvara) statue that can be seen from miles away on a clear day. Although the statue of the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island is the more famous landmark in Hong Kong, the Guan Yin statue is equally beautiful in my opinion. The statue is modeled on sculptures of the Song dynasty, and is bronze-cast with white fluorocarbon self-cleaning paint.
The Avalokitesvara statue towers over the villages underneath it, and contrasts among all the green.
Tsz Shan Monastery – How To Get There
The Tsz Shan Monastery is a Buddhist Monastery located in Tung Tsz, Tai Po. The surrounding natural environment provides visitors with ample tranquility and zen. To maintain this environment, and to control the number of visitors, the public must make an advance booking to enter the monastery.
There are many ways to get to the Tsz Shan Monastery – by bus, minibus, and taxi. However, all of them involve getting to the Tai Po Market MTR station first.
Bus
Take bus 75K or 275R (only on weekends) from Tai Po Market Station bus terminal and alight at San Tau Kok. From the bus stop, walk 10 minutes along Tong Tsz Road and turn right into Universal Gate Road for another 10 minutes’ walk.
Minibus
There are 3 green minibuses that can get you to Tsz Shan Monastery from Tai Po Market Station.
- 20T is the only direct bus to the monastery. It only runs only on weekdays between 11 AM and 5 PM.
- 20C gets you to San Tau Kok (same stop as the buses). From here it’s a 20 minute walk up hill.
- 20B gets you to the intersection of Tong Tsz Road and Universal Gate Road. From here, it’s only a 10 minute walk up hill.
Taxi
You can also take a taxi from the Tai Po Market station.
Zen Amidst Nature
More details about the monastery can be found on its website.
4 Comments
Do you know of any hiking trails that would give a nice overhead view of the monastary?
To be honest, I’m not sure there is a hiking trial with a good view of the monastery. On one side there is the Plover Cove bay area, which can’t offer any views. The closest I think is the path from Lai Pek San Tsuen (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lai+Pek+Shan+San+Tsuen/@22.4747695,114.2123217,18.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x103bcf8c835a642c!8m2!3d22.474631!4d114.211929)
I visited this monastery yesterday, having booked to go inside a couple of weeks ago. I arrived early, but wasn’t allowed in until the time on my booking. The monastery buildings are spectacular with large golden Buddhas inside. The gardens are colourful and peaceful with fantastic views over Tai Mei Tuk. The statue of Guan Yin is amazing close up. Incense is not allowed here, so people make water offerings to Guan Yin. They fill water bowls, walk towards the statue then pour the water into a pond in front of her. There’s a museum about Buddhism here, filled with different styles of Buddha statues. It really is worth making a booking to go inside if you haven’t already done so.
That sounds so unique and interesting! I definitely need to visit the monastery.