Head north from Tsim Sha Tsui to reach the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery showcasing one man’s devotion to Buddha. Built during the 1950s, the monastery was created by Yuet Kai who, while not a monk, was so dedicated to his faith that he brought together almost 13,000 statues of the deity at the temple.
It’s not a functioning monastery but the monument is an extremely spiritual place. Surround yourself with the physical representations of Buddha that range from traditional and reserved to eclectic and surreal. See statues ranging in size from as small as a thumb all the way up to a large statue sitting atop a blue lion. Admire the ornate clothes and hairstyles of the one-of-a-kind pieces.
Pay your respects to Yuet Kai in the main hall of the monastery. Here you’ll find the preserved body of the monastery’s founder.
Climb the Buddha-lined staircase that leads to the four pavilions, five temples, the outdoor terrace and the pagoda that houses the main collection. You might recognise the pagoda from the back of the 100 Hong Kong dollar banknote: the pagoda features prominently against a forested background on notes printed between 1985 and 2002.
Stretch your legs by climbing to the top of the nine-storey pagoda. Gaze across the forest canopy to see skyscrapers and the rugged terrain of Sha Tin and the New Territories. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys swinging between the branches of trees. Snap a photo of the monkeys as a keepsake, but remember not to feed them.
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery can be reached by train in just 20 minutes from Tsim Sha Tsui. Be sure to wear sturdy footwear, as there are more than 400 stairs that lead to the temple rooms. The temple is open daily and there is no admission fee.
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