Retreat from the hustle and bustle of downtown Hong Kong, and explore the religious monuments and stunning views of Lantau Island's hills.
Nestled in the hills of North Lantau, Po Lin began as a secluded monastery founded by three monks in 1906. It has come a long way since those times and the construction of Tian Tan, an enormous statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, along with the construction of the Tung Chung cable car and Ngong Ping Village complex have made it far less remote and more accessible. Po Lin Monastery is now seen as an important Buddhist centre and a popular destination for tourists, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.The monastery complex itself is comprised of many buildings, with the newer more impressive ones standing in front of the smaller, more modest structures which have been around since the monastery’s earlier days. Among the most striking are the Great Hall of Treasure and the Hall of Ti-tsang Boddhisattva.Visiting the monastery complex is truly a sensational experience admire the beautiful Buddhist iconography which decorates the buildings and take in the sweet smells of the flower garden. Allow the soothing sound of the bell to wash over you as it rings out every 7 minutes, dispelling 108 types of vexation (as legend has it). The bell itself is adorned with striking images of the Buddha and it can be found in the exhibition hall.The Tian Tan statue, erected in 1913 and commonly known as the “Big Buddha”, towers at 34 metres and draws a steady stream of pilgrims who come from all over Asia and beyond to pay their respects. If you manage to get yourself up the 250-odd steps to the foot of the statue, you'll be rewarded with a close-up look at the beautiful Buddha as well as incredible views of the mountains and sea.Taking the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to reach the monastery and statue is an experience in itself. Some of the cars have glass bottoms, offering you a different kind of panorama of the surrounding landscape. If you take the MTR to Tung Chung and leave via Exit B, you'll be a 5-minute walk from the Tung Chung cable car terminal. Alternatively, you could take the ferry from Central Pier No. 6 to Mui Wo on Lantau Island, and from there you'll be a 30 or 40-minute ride away on New Lantau Bus No. 2.Po Lin Monastery is open every day, and delicious vegetarian lunches are served in the restaurant from mid-morning to afternoon.
