The Tian Tan Buddha statue is oriented to face north toward Beijing, the capital of China.
The bronze statue is composed of 202 separate pieces and weighs 250 metric tons.
The Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas contains over 10,000 individual Buddha statues of varying sizes.
Construction of the giant Buddha statue was delayed multiple times due to the challenging terrain and the need for a sophisticated internal steel frame.
The monastery was originally known as 'The Big Hut' before it was formally named Po Lin (Precious Lotus) in 1924.
Po Lin Monastery is a major Buddhist center located on the Ngong Ping plateau of Lantau Island. It is best known for the Tian Tan Buddha, a massive bronze statue completed in 1993 that sits atop a three-story lotus pedestal. The monastery grounds feature several traditional buildings including the Main Shrine Hall of the Buddha, which houses three bronze statues representing the past, present, and future. The site also includes the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, which contains numerous small statues. The complex is situated at an elevation of approximately 480 meters above sea level. Construction of the main monastery buildings began in 1924 by three monks from Jiangsu province. The site serves as an active place of worship for practitioners and a destination for historical and architectural exploration.
The staircase leading up to the Buddha statue offers the clearest view of the monument against the mountain backdrop.
Climb the 268 steps to the base of the Buddha for a panoramic view of the surrounding hills.
Allocate time to walk the Wisdom Path nearby, which features 38 wooden pillars carved with Buddhist prayers.
Visit the monastery's vegetarian restaurant for a meal prepared by the resident monks.
Taking photographs inside the Main Shrine Hall where images of deities are housed, as this is typically prohibited.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor; modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected inside temple buildings.
