Tsz Shan Monastery
Are you thinking of some unwinding outside the busy districts? The Tsz Shan Monastery is an expansive Buddhist monastery located in Tai Po district. It offers a serene ambiance good for spiritual and even mental and emotional healing. The place is the brainchild of Li Ka Shing, with his foundation footing around 3 billion HKD. The architecture of the Tsz Shan Monastery is a combination of different Chinese dynasties. You will see these influences throughout the property. There’s no wonder this whole place took more than a decade to complete because the attention to detail is impeccable.
The monastery is a safer and better alternative for those who want to stretch their legs during this pandemic. Since you will have to book an online reservation to visit, the number of people inside is limited. There’s hardly a chance you will get stuck into a room full of strangers, except perhaps the museum (at least from our experience). The limit is also because it is a sacred place mainly for inner peace and tranquility.
The Courtyards
The Tsz Shan Monastery opens up to a majestic view of the sea, and it also features different courtyards and halls. The Main Gate is where the journey inside begins. It’s a little elevated, so you’ll get to see more of the view before going in. There are also bronze statues on each side of the Main Gate, giving it more character.
Inside the gate, you will find a courtyard called the Joyful Terrace. The courtyard features the Maitreya Hall and the bell and drum towers on each side. It also has lotus ponds on each side of the staircase leading up to the hall. The Maitreya hall is home to 6 statues in total. It has the buddha facing the Joyful Terrace, four guardians around it, and one facing the other side looking out to the Grand Courtyard.
The Grand Courtyard is a wide-open space that features the Grand Buddha Hall. The Hall has three main Buddhas facing the Grand Courtyard. There’s also a scripture at the back of the thee main buddhas and an illustration of, I assume, Buddhism’s origin.
On the side of the Grand Hall is the Universal Gate that leads to the Guan Yin Statue, with a seemingly infinite pond called the Brilliance Pond.
Guan Yin Statue
Seen from kilometers away is a pristine white statue standing proudly inside the monastery. The massive Guan Yin statue is about 76 meters tall and made of bronze with a white coating. It is about twice the size of the Big Buddha in Lantau Island, with one hand holding a water vase (said to be poured down to cleanse the world) and a pearl in the other.
Compassion Path
The Guan Yin Statue faces the Compassion Path – this is where devotees walk with the bowl of well-water offerings. The visitors pour these water offerings in a large bronze basin called the Thousand Wishes Pond at the end of the path. The path is an open space and can be too hot during summer. The white statue is a perfect contrast to the blue sky and gives a perfect focal point for your photos though (not seen in the photo :p).
As you can see in the image below, there’s also enough social distancing for the visitors. 🙂
The Museum
Inside the Guan Yin Buddha is where you will find the museum. It features several representations and versions of Buddhas across the world. The buddhas are in different sizes and are made out of different materials. Some were carved in wood, in bronze, and even in stone. Aside from the buddhas, you will also find a carved stone pillar, Buddhist texts (bible), and other artworks inside.
Note that it’s a whiplash of temperature change from the scorching sun to the air-conditioned space, so be sure to towel up. You will have to leave most of your stuff inside a locker before going in. I left all mine inside it, including my phone and camera, so I didn’t have my pictures. It’s best to see it for yourself anyway. 🙂
How to get there
As mentioned previously, you need to book your visit in advance through the monastery’s website before your visit. I went here with a small group from the office, and the company provided for our transportation. I don’t see the place being too accessible since it’s tucked away from the city and is uphill. Transportation, however, has never been a problem in Hong Kong, and the monastery is close to the MTR Tai Po Market Station. You can get a taxi from there to the monastery. The website also provides directions on how to get there. You may check the link to book your visit and to get directions as well. The monastery is also free for those who would like to visit.
Monastery Website: https://www.tszshan.org/
Once you get to the gate, you will be checked for temperature, you will also need the Leave Home Safe app to scan the QR code before you are given a pass inside.
I hope this post is helpful. Please feel free to click this link to view more of my travels >>> Travel Blogs.