Name(English): Tsz Shan Monastery
Name(Chinese): 慈山寺
Category: Culture and History
Phone Number: +852 2123 8666
Address(English): 88 Universal Gate Road, Tai Po
Address(Chinese): 香港新界大埔普門路88號
Address Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/ZauPjzir61Fwctzh9
Address longitude and latitude: 22.474296569291784, 114.20580836320312
Opening Hours:
MON 09:30 – 17:00
TUE 09:30 – 17:00
WED 09:30 – 17:00
THUR 09:30 – 17:00
FRI 09:30 – 17:00
SAT 09:30 – 17:00
SUN 09:30 – 17:00
Recommended Time: 10:00 – 15:00
Reminder: No entrance fee , but need to make reservation in advance on their website
Traversing down the winding roads of countryside Tai Po, a white figure gradually appears within your line of sight — tall and straight like a Red Oak tree, so strangely colossal that you won’t be able to keep your eyes off of it. The giant white figure is Guan Yin, a 76 metre tall statue made of bronze in Tsz Shan Monastery. Guanyin is one of the most popular Buddhist divinities, known as the Goddess of Mercy and Protection. Often depicted as a young woman with a flowing robe floating on a lotus flower, wearing beads that symbolises royalty, and holding a small jar of pure water and a willow branch.
Taking 12 years to construct and finally opened in 2015, Tsz Shan Monastery was established by Li Ka Shing, known as the wealthiest man in Hong Kong. The Tang dynasty style monastery spans 46,000 sqm, and was created to spread and research the teachings of Buddhism, and to act as a spiritual sanctuary. Tranquility and quiet elegance is found everywhere as you take a stroll in the compound and explore the Maitreya Hall in which sits three golden buddhas. Also check out the Buddhist Art Museum which houses over 100 Buddha statues, 43 original Dunhuang sutras, or medieval texts. It runs meditation retreats, Buddhist readings, and workshops on traditional Chinese tea as well as zen calligraphy.
Some points to note before making your way over: Tsz Shan Monastery only allows 400 visitors a day, so you must make an online booking in advance. It’s so popular that sometimes bookings are made one month in advance. As is with all places of spirituality, wear respectful attire, ie. no sleeveless tops or bottoms that are above the knee. But alas if you forget, the Monastery will lend you a cloth with which to wrap up!
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