While Hong Kong is known for a great many fantastic attractions, one of the best cultural sites the region has to offer is relatively unknown. This is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Hong Kong’s hidden gem.
Establishment
This monastery was initially founded in 1951 by the venerable Yuet Kai, a Chinese monk who had moved to Hong Kong in the early decades of the 20th century. Yuet Kai and his followers would begin constructing the monastery by hand aided by generous donations from the public. Construction was completed in 1957, though new Buddha statues would continue to be installed as the decades went on.
Disaster and Renovation
in 1997, a massive mudslide measuring more than 400 cubic metres occurred at the site of the monastery. This caused massive damage to the complex and large-scale renovations had to be done before the monastery was reopened in 2000.
The Present-Day Monastery
A historically significant monument, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery has been listed as an important historical building. It has been featured in countless television and films, including several western features. If you’re looking sightseeing tours Hong Kong has on offer, be sure to pick one which included a visit to their monastery on their itinerary. What’s more, the site is only a few minutes’ drive away from most major Hong Kong hotels such as the Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong.
Architecture
One of the most striking features associated with the monastery is its architecture. To access the main building the pagoda, you have to ascend a steep stairwell, one which has statues of Buddhist arhats on either side. In total, there are close to 13,000 Buddha statues at the monastery grounds – a true sight to behold.
