Imagine being in one of the largest cities in the world, yet not being able to see another person for as far as your eyes can see. Both times I have visited the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery that is exactly what happened — I had the entire place to myself. This hidden gem is located in Sha Tin, a busy part of Hong Kong, however surprisingly very few locals or tourists visit. Thus, it is the perfect free cityscape that will not only afford you some breathing room in such a crowded place, but will also leave you speechless for the beauty found there is magnificent.
The pathway up to the Monastery is picturesquely beautiful, though the real star of the show are the grounds of the Monastery itself, which occupies over 8 hectares and contains two levels. The main level houses a pagoda, several halls, and a temple. Leave plenty of time during your visit to wander around, take photos, and to find the perfect spot for a moment of reflection.
Although it is called a Monastery, there are no resident monks and the grounds are managed by laypersons. It was built by Yuet Kai, a devout Buddhist layman, who dedicated the last years of his life to constructing this extraordinary place, which at the time contained ten thousand statues of Buddha. Over the years people have added Buddhas and other Buddhist statues as a sign of devotion.
My favorite part is definitely the temple where the walls are lined with the original ten thousand miniature ceramic Buddha statues. Each statue is about twelve inches high and adopts a different pose and expression and contains an inscription bearing the name of its donor. The glow that is cast from the light inside each golden Buddha is ethereal. Yuet Kai’s ashes are also displayed in a glass case, though I chose to not photograph it out of respect.
If you should find yourself in Hong Kong, please do yourself a favor and make certain that you visit this place. After you do, send me a message that you did and let me know your favorite part about it!
All of those Buddhas in one room is breathtaking. What an amazing place. Thanks for sharing it in such gorgeous photos.
Isn’t is stunning??? You’re so welcome and thanks for your kind words!
I’ve been to HK twice in the past three years and still haven’t made it here. At least I squeezed in a visit to the giant Buddha on Lantau Island during my last visit!
That is another amazing site in HK!
Wow those pictures are beautiful!! I want to go now!! Thanks for the inspiration.
xoxo, Elle
http://www.thehighfeather.com
I hope you can go ASAP!!!
Cool Photos – thanks for the inspiration!!
xoxo, Elle
http://www.thehighfeather.com
Thank you and you’re so welcome! XO
That is one hell of a lot of buddhas! I love that they have different facial expressions – especially the angry-looking one. Beautiful!
Glad you liked the post! And yes, it is one hell of a lot of Buddhas haha!!!
Wow, these photos are stunning, Andi! The colors especially are so striking. I haven’t had a chance to visit Hong Kong yet, but will definitely keep this on the list of places to see when I do 🙂 Thanks for sharing them!
Awww thank you so much, that means a lot to me!!! Definitely put it on your Bucket List. XO
Those are stunning pictures of Buddhas bella!
Love it, love it, love it!
I definitely have to visit next time I go to HK! I am glad I am not the only one fascinated with temples 😉
Thank you X a million, you’re so sweet!!! I hope you can make it there one day, I know you’d LOVE it!
Great photos Andi. I love lingering in Buddhist temples.
Thanks darling, me too!
I really just want to go and sit there with the 10,000 buddhas right now. Something about that little room looks so peaceful, as if the grounds weren’t already peaceful enough.
I hope that we can go there 1 day together! We can just and be. 🙂
Wow, the pictures are breathtaking!!!! I love your blog so much! Thank you for sharing, Andi!
Thank you so so so much!!! You’re so kind! 🙂
Lovely! Another place on my (long) list to see.
You will LOVE it!
Great shots! I love the way you take pictures, it looks like real specially the mini statue. I can say that this monastery was really beautiful. I think I can also add this to my travel list. Keep sharing!
-yana-
Glad you enjoyed the photos!!! Thanks for your kind words. 🙂
I have always wanted to visit Hong Kong. It looks so beautiful.
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Twitter: @GlamKitten88
It is sooo beautiful! Hope you can make it there soon!!!
GORGEOUS PICS!
Thanks Janice!
Amazing photos! What a serene looking place!
Thank you sooo much Ashley!!!
I love all the little buddhas – how fantastic! And a perfect place to enjoy some solitude. I’m never lucky to have a place like this to myself – always trying to shoot around crowds of tourists!
I can’t stand going to places where there are hoards of tourists. Can’t enjoy myself at all! This is one of the reasons why I enjoy this place SO much!!!
It looks like more than 10,000!!! what an amazing place!!! beautiful photoghaphs!!! love the one of back of Buddha’s head w the mountains in the background!!! so peaceful!
I love that shot too and yes there is definitely more than 10,000! 🙂
The colors in this are absolutely fantastic. There is a sense of both delicacy to the images and immense strength. I do not know how you always manage to bring that to your photos, but it is what makes them truly unique in my eyes. Thinking of you, and sending love.
I love you, that’s all! XO
This looks beautiful! I’ve been to Hong Kong, but gave barely had time to do any sightseeing there. This definitely goes on my list. I love all the colors and flowers in your pics.
It’s sooo beautiful!!! Too much beauty actually! I hope you can make it there some day. 🙂
Looks amazing! I would love to visit there! Great post!
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Thanks a million Steph! XO
Absolutely amazing, Andi! How wonderful and incredible to have the whole place to yourself. I feel peaceful just thinking about it. 🙂
It’s an indescribable feeling, truly!
thanks for posting!
You’re welcome! 🙂
The photography looks stunning!
Thanks Steve!
superb!!!
Thanks Emily!
Sounds like an incredible experience! Love your photos.
It was SO incredible!!! Thank you!
Nice photos Andi. I love to find quiet places in big cities like this. The room with the 10k buddhas looks a bit crazy…
Thanks! Yes, it’s always nice to find quiet spots in loud cities.
Your photos are ALWAYS so amazing!!
This monastery looks simply beautiful and incredibly peaceful! I REALLY want to go to Hong Kong now – not that I didn’t before!
Awww thank you kindly, what touching words! And yes, you must must must visit HK and of course this magical place.
These photos took me back to my trip to Asia several years ago. Beautiful, just beautiful.
Oh yay, so happy to hear that and thank you dear!
Wow… these photos are absolutely stunning. I don’t even know what to say!
And I don’t even know what to say to such an awesome compliment!!! XO
this is amazing!
Thanks Alda!
I have to visit this place!
Yes you do!!!
Lovely pics Andi! I’ve visited a few temples here in Korea, and having no one around certainly adds to the experience. 🙂
It surely does, huh? Thanks for the kind words!
Love the photos Andi – what an inspiring looking place.
Thanks a million Liv!!! XO
What a great experience.
One I will never forget!
Wow, stunning photography! You really, really, really make me want to explore Asia.
Awww that is the highest compliment! I LOVE inspiring people!!!