Hong Kong

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

​The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Sze) is not your ordinary temple in Hong Kong. Despite its name, you will find more than 10,000 Buddhas there. To be exact, 12,800 Buddha statues. So imagine yourself surrounded by them. Rest assured, the experience is not as scary as it sounds. 

Most notable are the more than 500 Arhan statues found along the 431 steps leading to the pagoda. Each life-sized statue has a distinct character. So, make it a point to look at each one. No doubt, it can help make the climb to the top more interesting. 

Yet another impressive feature is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall. Be in awe at the sight of thousands of miniature Buddha statues stacked on the shelves within the Main Temple. 

Wild monkeys are the other inhabitants of the Sha Tin area. They roam the neighboring hills and mountains freely. Be warned as they tend to pop up unexpected. Moreover, one might cross your path. Many would consider it a lucky omen. Lucky or not, seeing one up close and personal is a treat only a few can claim.  

As a testament to their faith, Reverend Yuet Kai and his disciples painstakingly built the monastery starting in 1949. They carried the materials on foot. Hence, the construction took eight years. The statues needed 10 years to complete. Visitors can pay their respects to the founder whose preserved body is encased in glass in the main hall. To date, monks no longer live in the monastery.
tips
  • Getting to the Ten Thousands Buddhas Monastery can be a challenge for anyone who is not physically fit. The climb can take around 20 minutes. Moreover, the heat can make it harder to go up. Words of advice for tourists who want to visit – go early in the day and take along a water bottle or two. 
  • The temple is closed to the public when there is heavy rainfall. Because of its location surrounded by mountains, the amount of rainwater in the area can be above average. 
  • It can be a bit tricky to find the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. Visitors who take a wrong turn would end up in a nearby cemetery. The thought would likely scare many. To be sure you get to where you want to go, remember to turn right going into Sheung Wo Che Street. A clue you are heading in the right direction is if you find yourself near a government building and a post office. 
  • The Monastery is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day. Entrance is free. However, be advised the vegetarian restaurant opens at 10:30 AM until 4:00 or 5:00 PM. It is also closed on Thursdays. So, be sure to pack snacks or eat a heavy meal if you plan to visit on a Thursday.

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