Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery
Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery
4.5
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
About
This place is Temporarily Closed. Located on Lantau Island, this monastery features the Big Buddha (Tiantau), which is the largest, seated, outdoor bronze Buddha in the world.
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Neighborhood: New Territories
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- hcd-1921Zurich, Switzerland63 contributionsWorth a visit, when in the areaThis is a beautiful monastery, right next to Ngong Ping village and the big Buddha statue (separate review). When in the area, I definitely recommend visiting the monastery. Be aware that there are many believers who are praying and lighing incense so I try not to disturb them as I was "only" a tourist. Particularly impressive are the gold buddha statues in one of the halls. What I also enjoyed was the small exhibition on how the Buddha was built. FYI: a visit to the monastery is also free but there are donation boxesVisited September 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 4, 2023
- mfilcol2014Lisbon, Portugal1,759 contributionsBeautifulThe Monastery is next to Big Budha and is worth visiting. Absolutely fantastic decor, with several courtyards and temples. When we visit it is practically empty, which made the visit very pleasant. The interior of the temples is beautiful. Of particular note is the Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas absolutely fabulous Don't miss itVisited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 16, 2024
- Ronal26 contributionsBeautiful and serene monastery in the hills of Lantau Island.Beautiful and serene monastery in the hills of Lantau Island. Incredible architecture, artistry and a sense of calmness, especially in the hall of 1000 buddhas. Try to visit as early as possible to avoid the crowds and get a sense of the peace. Please be respectful of the monastery and temple, dress and behave appropriately even though they are not strict on such rules. Well worth a visit as part of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride and Tian Tan Buddha visit.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 7, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,142 reviews
Excellent
1,245
Very good
725
Average
153
Poor
14
Terrible
6
Patrick O
Mount Holly, NC1,143 contributions
Dec 2019
We went here as part of a tour out of Hong Kong and it was great! Very colorful with large incense sticks filling the air with different aromas. Great access and interesting statues of various gods make for great photos and regardless of your religious beliefs, you have to respect the dedication to detail. Beautiful area to walk around with a nice large coy pond. Statues of warriors outside as you leave and a huge overhead gate as you enter. Watch for roaming cows and buffalo! Very colorful and interesting with very ornate architecture. Worth a stop or experience it with a guide and get information at the same time!
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
🌈🌈❤️happyopenmindedtraveler❤️🌈🌈
The Netherlands402,367 contributions
Feb 2020
The Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery was established in 1906 and is dedicated to the goddess Guanyin. From Kowloon, i took the Hong Kong metro to Tung Chung and from there a local bus to Ngong Ping (as the gondola lift from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping 360 was temporarily not operating last February, during my visit, apparently due to the covid-19 situation in Hong Kong at that point of time). Apparently the ashes of amongst others, of the late Hong Kong entertainer Anita Mu, who was world-famous in Asia, are being kept here. My last visit to this quite amazing temple complex was in 1996 so it was really going down memory lane for me. No entrance fee and a donation is optional. Recommended.👍
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jenkle89
Hendaye, France417 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Situated at the foot of the Tian Tan Big Buddha, this Zen Buddhism Monastery is a must see along with the Big Buddha. The temple is beautifuly decorated, wood and stone carvings, bronze buddhas etc.. such a very peaceful place. We had already had lunch, but there are food options here.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AradhanaVerma
Mumbai, India160 contributions
Mar 2020
The peaceful Po Lin monastery is just steps away from the Big Buddha. I really loved the peace and tranquility there. The monastery is more than a century old and was earlier known as the ‘Big Thatched Hut’. It was set up by three Buddhist monks in 1906 and is now a world renowned monastery. The monastery also has a vegetarian restaurant which serves delicious food. There is a park outside which has some stone benches and tables and it is very peaceful to sit and chat or simply have some food under the shade of the trees.
Written July 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mfilcol2014
Lisbon, Portugal1,759 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The Monastery is next to Big Budha and is worth visiting. Absolutely fantastic decor, with several courtyards and temples. When we visit it is practically empty, which made the visit very pleasant. The interior of the temples is beautiful. Of particular note is the Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas absolutely fabulous
Don't miss it
Don't miss it
Written April 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hcd-1921
Zurich, Switzerland63 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
This is a beautiful monastery, right next to Ngong Ping village and the big Buddha statue (separate review). When in the area, I definitely recommend visiting the monastery. Be aware that there are many believers who are praying and lighing incense so I try not to disturb them as I was "only" a tourist. Particularly impressive are the gold buddha statues in one of the halls. What I also enjoyed was the small exhibition on how the Buddha was built.
FYI: a visit to the monastery is also free but there are donation boxes
FYI: a visit to the monastery is also free but there are donation boxes
Written October 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China21,046 contributions
Aug 2021
Po Lin Monastery is the most popular Buddhist temple in Hong Kong for sure. It certainly does not offer the serene, peaceful experience like any other religious institutions. The building itself is pretty grand, though. Unfortunately signboard or illustration is lacking. A good place to meander and spend a couple hours.
Written August 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronal
26 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Beautiful and serene monastery in the hills of Lantau Island. Incredible architecture, artistry and a sense of calmness, especially in the hall of 1000 buddhas.
Try to visit as early as possible to avoid the crowds and get a sense of the peace.
Please be respectful of the monastery and temple, dress and behave appropriately even though they are not strict on such rules.
Well worth a visit as part of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride and Tian Tan Buddha visit.
Try to visit as early as possible to avoid the crowds and get a sense of the peace.
Please be respectful of the monastery and temple, dress and behave appropriately even though they are not strict on such rules.
Well worth a visit as part of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride and Tian Tan Buddha visit.
Written June 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shannon
Suva, Fiji1,137 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Brilliant well maintained religious architecture. There is a vegetarian restaurant on site which was full on my visit. Visiting the temple is free, there's no dress code and meal donations can be done on site. Would recommend
Written June 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kendo
Scotland73 contributions
A fair way to spend half a day, a trip out to Lantua and the Po Lin was interesting and enjoyable. We took the ferry out from HK island, and had a very enjoyable walk back down through the woods to Tung Chung to get the MTR back into Kowloon. An easy route to follow with great views, it takes a couple of hours. The monastery itself was interesting and the big bhudda, well it was impressive I must say. We really enjoyed it but I wouldn't say it was unmissable, unlike a trip on the Peak Tram.
Written April 26, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
“Hi there, Are the souvenirs such as the necklaces and bracelets (ie. jade pendant and bracelets) inside and right underneath the big Buddha really blessed by the monk as the lady had mentioned? She had a picture of the Buddhist monk and said he blessed all the bracelets and artefacts. Is this true? The name of the store is Hong Kong Po Lin Monastery. She said part of the earnings goes towards donations to the place. Is this also true? Thanks.
Written August 11, 2019
How much does it cost to get to Lantau island? How many hours would you recommend staying there and how much money would you recommend bringing?
Thank you
Written October 24, 2018
How much does it cost to get to Lantau island? How many hours would you recommend staying there and how much money would you recommend bringing?
Thank you
Written October 24, 2018
It depends on where you're travelling from and what method.
As an example, travelling from Sheung Shui to Tsing Yi by bus is around HK$8 (I think!) but will take you 40mins - not recommended during rush hour because of traffic congestion. Travelling by MTR is around HK$25 but fares change if you're using an Octopus Card and some other factors but this will take you around 20mins.
The MTR's website has a route planner and that also includes costs but generally speaking, bus is usually cheapest.
As for how long to stay there will depend on what you want to do! You could spend all day at Disneyland and stay late for the fireworks, but you've also got the Buddha statue and monastery. If it's just for the statue and monastery you've then got to consider how to get there.
Walking will take you hours, bus is quicker but the Ngong Ping 360 cable car is the easiest and quickest but most expensive (their website has ticket details, but an adult return in a crystal cabin is HK$315) and that will get you there from the Tung Chung MTR station in 15mins (once you clear the queues).
Re how much money to bring, once you reach the top of the mountain, everything's free to enter with the exception of the Buddha statue, if you want to go inside, and that costs HK$45.
If you want to eat a vegetarian meal, you can also get a deal and pay HK$100 which will get you into the statue and a voucher for a vegetarian meal.
I brought my own water and snacks, but you can also buy those here (including ice cream) as well as souvenirs from numerous shops which align the route from the cable car station to this venue.
If you're travelling alone, excluding transport, HK$100 will see you through the day providing you bring your own food, and that's to get you into the statue and a small souvenir.
Time-wise, once you get to the venue, I'd allow for 1 hour at the monastery and 1 hour at the statue - there's not a whole lot to do once you get over the scenery and have looked at the exhibits, really! If you bring your own picnic, you can take your time and spend a few more hours soaking up the atmosphere and if you bring a family, you'll obviously have to allow more time for them!
Hope this helps.
Written October 24, 2018
I am waving my daughter off at HK Airport as she flies onto NZ. I have about 10 hours to kill before my flight back to England. As I am travelling with my younger daughter what is there for me to see/do in the time I have? thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Written April 20, 2018
Nicola, check out my day at Hong Kong on the forum - I got loads done in the time that I had (from about 2-10pm) including the Peak, Hong Kong Botanical gardens and a trip on the Star Ferry. Any queries PM me.
Written April 20, 2018
Visitors suggested to pre-book your cable car tickets to Big Buddha. Is there a website for booking? I can't seem to find booking on the Po Lin Monastery webpage.
Written December 27, 2017
Yes... we used a booking site... but be prepared to wait anyway... it makes no difference... just google it.
Written February 21, 2018
Here is the Lantau itinerary I am planning for a weekday: slow ferry to Mui Wo; Bus 2 to Giant Buddha; Po Lin Monastery and vegetarian lunch; Ngong Ping village; Sky Rail to Tung Chung; MTR to Central. Allowing average time for sightseeing at the Buddha, the Monastery and the village, can anyone please tell me how much time this itinerary will take?
Written May 25, 2017
If you are strictly visiting the Buddha, monastery, and the Ngong Ping Village (the overpriced, nothing new here tourist trap as I call it), you could rush through it in less than an hour. Add an extra 30 minutes for lunch.
It really depends on how much you want to see and do at the top. If you wanted to go on ANY of the hikes (anything from an easy, flat path walk to hiking up the mountain) I would add at minimum 1 hour to the above totals. Possibly more.
Suggest the following:
A) If you are not into walks/hikes and just enjoy the statues and monasteries, then: 1 to 2 hours at the top.
B) If you are also into walks/hikes: 2 to 4 hours at the top (depending upon how much you want to walk).
For both options A & B, add 30 or 40 mins for travel each way (up to the top and back down to the base using gondola or bus)
So from the 'base' (Tung Chung MTR/Gondola/bus terminal):
Option A = 3 hours
Option B = 5+ hours
Those would my suggested times for a good weather day. If the weekday you are going on is a local holiday, add potentially another 90 minutes or so if you are doing the gondola in both directions.
Written May 26, 2017
Hi -
Thanks for the review and great pictures. Didn't really understand directions to get there. How long did it take to get there? Was this a whole day trip?
Written April 17, 2017
Just go to Tun Chung Station get off the walk out to the bus Terminus right outside the station. Do not get confuse there are two bus terminus, the one that go to Lantau or Po Lin is that you have to walk further out and turn to the right side and cross the traffic light. Then You will see the terminal. Once you enter the terminal you will see the sign 3M-23 follow that sign till the right end and you will find the bus no. 23. You can pay cash or with Octopus Card if you have. Bus ride will take 30mnts. You can go to the Big Buddha first then to Pi Lin Monastery right after that continue to the village before heading to the bus on the way back.
Hope it helps!. Good luck and enjoy.!
Written April 18, 2017
Is it possible to go there by walk? like take bus and then go up walking? i have a layover of 15 hours in HK and I would love to see that, but i won't be able to spend a lot of cash.
Written December 26, 2016
The MTR from the airport does not go to Lantau Island but you can catch buses (think S1 or S64, not sure as I did not use them, so check at airport) to Tung Chung MTR station on the island. From there you can catch buses to Nong Ping where the Po Lin Monastery is without taking the cable car which is quite costly. Just know that the bus journey is 40-45 mins and I don't know their frequency. If you have a few people, suggest taking the light blue taxi (only taxis allowed on the island) from Tung Chung to Nong Ping. Alternatively, take the MTR from airport to Central and take the ferry(fast one, about 29.90 HKD, half the fare for senior citizens) to Mui Wo on the island. From there take a bus to Nong Ping or to Tai O and from there to Nong Ping. If you have to be at the airport by a certain time I would suggest to give yourself plenty of time as intervals between ferry and bus trips are often hourly. Hope this is somewhat helpful.
Written December 27, 2016
there is a bus depot at the base village. The bus stops have English wording, so go to the one for Tai O. One leaves every 15 minutes.
Written October 17, 2016
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