Po Lin Monastery is a Buddhist temple on the top of Lantau Island. Most of the visitors to the Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha) and Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car will also pay a visit to Po Lin Monastery and their popular vegetarian restaurant.
With over a century history, this temple has become the biggest Buddhist temple in Hong Kong.
Guide of Buddhist Temple – Po Lin Monastery
Besides the temple, there are many other attractions, such as the Big Buddha, viewing platforms, hiking trail, fishing village and beach resorts on Lantau Island. Check out how to arrange the itinerary and insider tips.
More to Know
What to do in Ngong Ping and on Lantau Island
Lantau Island is a great treasure when it comes to attractions. Besides the Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car and Tai O fishing village, you may also be interested in hiking, scenic views, beach resort and pink dolphin. Check out how to plan your itinerary for one-day sightseeing on Lantau Island.
What is Po Lin Monastery and what to see?
Po Lin Monastery is the largest Buddhist temple in Hong Kong. The history of the temple can trace back to 1906 when three monks from China set up a site on Lantau Island for practice. It gains more and more members and now has developed to a world renowned monastery. Hong Kong’s top attraction the Big Buddha, aka Tian Tan Buddha sitting opposite the temple was designed and cast by Po Lin Monastery.
Surrounded by lush green and hilly mountains, Po Lin Monastery is located right on top of the Ngong Ping Plateau and is a beautiful way to enjoy the tranquil settings.
“Po Lin” in Cantonese means “Precious Lotus”. Lotus flower is considered as pure flower growing out of sludge. It has been widely used as thrones in Buddhism, which symbolises the purity of the Buddha. Another picturesque temple in Hong Kong “Chi Lin Nunnery” is also using the lotus in its name.
-
Pai Lau at the entrance of the temple
When you see the white Qin Dynasty-style Pai Lau, you are already close to Po Lin Monastery. Pai Lau (in Cantonese), also known as Pai Lou (in Mandarin), is a traditional Chinese architectural arch or gateway that some may associate and/or characterize with tranquility and solemnity. The Pai Lau of Ngong Ping Monastery also represents the Mountain Gate (Shan Men), which in Buddhism is regarded as main entrance.
On the entrance of Ngong Ping Piazza there is another Pai Lau.
-
Three major halls with special architectures
Passing the Pai Lau will unfold gradually the three major halls: Hall of Skanda Bodhisattva (韋馱殿), the Main Shrine Hall of Buddha (大雄寶殿) and the Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas (萬佛寶殿). Take your time to stroll around the different buildings and halls and you will encounter and discover various figures and gods of the Buddhism religion.
-
Hall of Skanda Bodhisattva
Walk through the Hall of Skanda Bodhisattva where the typical welcoming and jovial Buddha Maitreya welcomes each visitor.
In addition, you can take a closer look at the figures or statues of the Four Heavenly Kings on each side. Each one watches over one direction of the world and serves as the protectors. These four Guardian Kings came before Shakyamuni Buddha just after the Buddha achieved enlightenment under the bodhi tree. They are almost in every Buddhist temple.
-
Main Shrine Hall of Buddha
The Main Shrine Hall of Buddha is behind the Hall of Skanda Bodhisattva with the Buddha Shakyamuni in the center and Buddha Bhaisajyaguru (Master of Healing) and Buddha Amitābha (Buddha of Unlimited Light and Life Spans) on each side. Sometimes there will be ceremony and services in this hall.
Don’t forget the fine craftsmanship and ornate decoration around the buildings.
-
Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas
The Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas was built in 2014 with architectural concept of Song Dynasty. It is a 5-floor and multifunctional building covering 6000 square meters. Unfortunately, only the ground floor is open to visitors. You will find ten thousand glowing buddha statues in the magnificent hall.
Hong Kong has another temple “Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Shatin” with life-size statues of the buddhas, where you can walk close and take a clear look.
-
-
Vegetarian restaurant of Po Lin Monastery and the cost
If you are interested in the typical life of a monk, you also have the chance to try some typical vegetarian dishes. Vegetarian dishes are served at the Dining Hall and Fat Ho Memorial Hall of Po Lin Monastery.
Dishes are prepared with natural materials and are supposed to be quite healthy. The vegetarian kitchen operates from 11:30 am till 4:30 pm. The average expense is around HK$ 50 – 120 per person.
In case you don’t want to have a full course of dishes, you also can enjoy some traditional snacks just opposite the dining hall including steamed cakes, spring water bean curd, glutinous rice dumplings with mango filling, noodles and salty dim sums.
Did You Know
If you would like to visit the three halls underneath Tian Tan Buddha, buying a meal ticket from the vegetarian restaurant of the temple can entitle a free entry.
Alternatively, you may consider to book a half-day tour for Lantau Island. Both include the round-trip of Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, visit to Wisdom Path and Po Lin Monastery, as well as the group lunch in vegetarian restaurant with professional tour guide. One of the tours will also cover the visit to the fishing village Tai O.
Make sure to stop at the Reunification Cauldron on your way back out. This special cauldron commemorates the return of Hong Kong to China and if you take a closer look you will notice the bauhinia flowers.
Ticket price and opening hours of Po Lin Monastery
The access to Po Lin Monastery is free of charge.
The opening hours of Po Lin Monastery are from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. The vegetarian restaurant opens from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm everyday.
How to Get to Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island?
Po Lin Monastery is opposite Big Buddha and close to Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car terminus. You can travel to Tung Chung Town Center first and then transfer to either Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car (25-minute ride), bus (50 minutes) or taxi (40 minutes) from Tung Chung Town Center to the temple.
Alternatively, visitors can also travel from Central by ferry to Mui O then transfer by bus to Ngong Ping.
For saving time and upgrading your travel experience, the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is highly recommended. You can enjoy the amazing panoramic views on board during the 25-minute ride. Get the ticket discount with designated lane in advance if possible.
For more step-by-step details about how to get to Ngong Ping Piazza, please refer to more details on how to get to the Big Buddha.
General Info and Details
Locations: On top of Ngong Ping, Lantau Island
Opening Hours: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (daily)
Ticket Fare: Free admission for the temple; Charge is applicable to the vegetarian restaurant. Various tour options with cable car ride and vegetarian lunch are available
Official Site: http://plm.org.cn/eng/home.php
How to get to Po Lin Monastery?
Depending on your starting location and budget, you can get to Po Lin Monastery by the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, taxi or bus: See details above