Tsz Shan Monastery is a magnificent Buddhist temple located in the Tai Po District of Hong Kong. The temple was constructed with the generosity of Li Ka Shing, a Hong Kong billionaire who invested more than HKD 3.3 billion in the project. The architectural design of the monastery was inspired by the Tang, Northern Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties. Additionally, the monastery has a diverse range of trees and natural elements that connect visitors to nature, making it an ideal place for meditation.
Registration
Although there is no entrance fee, visitors must register through the official website to gain entry. To maintain a peaceful and serene atmosphere, the monastery limits the number of daily visitors. Reservations can be made up to one month in advance, and registration opens at 8 am daily. However, as demand is high, it is crucial to reserve your spot as soon as possible.
Getting Here
The monastery opens at 9:30 am and closes at 5:00 pm. To get here, you can take the MTR to Tai Po Market Station and choose to take a bus or minibus. To my knowledge, only minibus 20T goes to the entrance of the monastery. All other buses and minibusses require you to walk uphill along Universal Gate Road.
(1) via MTR + Minibus + Walk
- Take the MTR line to Tai Po Market Station
- Take Minibus 20B, 20C, then walk uphill along Universal Gate Road
- Take Minibus 20T, Alight at the entrance of the Monastery.
(2) via MTR + Bus + Walk
- Take the MTR line to Tai Po Market Station
- Take the bus 75K
- Walk uphill along Universal Gate Road
(3) via Taxi / Uber
Address: 88 Universal Gate Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
Important Things to Note Before Visiting Tsz Shan Monastery
- Please keep your voice down while visiting the Monastery
- Wear appropriate clothes
- Bring your bottles to refill water and stay hydrated
- You cannot take photos inside the Monastery’s halls
- It is strictly no smoking inside the monastery
- Only vegetarian food is allowed
- Please pack light as there are no storage facilities available
- Pets are not allowed, only service dogs are permitted
- Burning of incense is not permitted
Tsz Shan Monastery
The monastery is situated on top of a hill and offers breathtaking views of the Pat Sin Leng mountain range and the Plover Cove Reservoir. The tranquil ambiance of the place will immediately put visitors at ease and allow them to immerse themselves in the peacefulness of the surroundings.
Monastic Life Film at Lecture Hall
Upon arrival, the staff informed us that the short film at the Lecture Hall was starting soon. We went to watch a short film featuring the Monastic life to get a deeper understanding of daily life at the monastery.
Main Gate, Maitreya Hall, and the Grand Buddha Hall
Afterward, we explored the three main buildings – Main Gate, Maitreya Hall, and the Grand Buddha Hall before going to the Universal Gate and Guan Yin Statue.
The Main Gate serves as the beginning of the main axis of the monastery. On either side of the gate, there are two bronze statues of Vajrapāni, the protectors of the monastery. Moving forward along the axis, you’ll come across the Maitreya Hall, which is located at the center. This hall contains the Four Heavenly Kings. Finally, at the Grand Buddha Hall, you can find three Buddha statues and statues of the Eighteen Arhats.
Guan Yin Statue
If you walk uphill along Universal Gate Road, at the entrance of the monastery, visitors can already see the 76-meter-tall statue of Guan Yin. The monastery boasts an impressive Guan Yin statue that is sure to captivate visitors. Guan Yin, also known as the Goddess of Mercy, holds a wisdom mani pearl in her right hand and a vase in her left. It is believed that the water she pours from the vase has the power to cleanse the phenomenal world. Leaning forward, her body displays compassion and wisdom as she guides and enlightens all beings. The bronze statue is coated with white fluorocarbon self-cleaning paint and is recognized as the world’s largest bronze statue of Guan Yin.
Tsz Shan Monastery Buddhist Art Museum
The Tsz Shan Monastery Buddhist Art Museum is a must-visit in the monastery. It is the only museum in Hong Kong dedicated to Buddhist art and relics and is situated underneath the Guan Yin Statue. The museum boasts an extensive collection of Buddhist artifacts and sculptures.
Holy Bodhi Tree
Inside the monastery, visitors will encounter the Holy Bodhi Tree, which symbolizes wisdom. The branch of the Holy Bodhi tree was a gift from the former president of Sri Lanka to Tsz Shan Monastery.
Spiritual Practices in Tsz Shan Monastery
For those interested in spiritual practices, the monastery offers various activities such as Zen Calligraphy at the Universal Gate or Water Offerings at the Compassion Path.
Zen Calligraphy
The calligraphy sessions have designated time slots during the day, so be sure to check the timeslot and plan accordingly. Once you sit down, calm your mind and body while paying attention to your breathing. The Zen Calligraphy sessions aim to calm the mind while copying the sutra.
Water Offering
On the other hand, Water Offering is a unique alternative to incense burning where visitors can take a water bowl, put some water using the wooden ladle, and pour it with respect into the Thousand Wishes Pond at the Compassion Path. Afterward, return the water bowl to the collection point.
Accessibility
The monastery is quite large, spanning approximately 500,000 square feet. This can make it difficult for older individuals to explore. However, there are free wheelchairs available for those who need them. Additionally, there are elevators and ramps inside the monastery, making it easily accessible for individuals using wheelchairs or strollers.
Dining Hall
There is a dining hall in the monastery where they serve vegetarian meals during events and ceremonies. Visitors are welcome to bring their food and snacks, but visitors cannot bring in meat and alcoholic drinks. There are complimentary drinks and refreshments offered to visitors between 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm every day.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their water bottles to refill water at the water stations.
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