Photo adjustments
Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
City & district guides
About Po Lin Monastery
Its main shrine contains three bronze Buddha images representing past, present and future, while the Hall of Bodhisattva Skanda introduces another part of the religious complex. The monastery and the nearby Tian Tan Buddha form related but distinct parts of the visit.
Begin with the monastery halls before deciding whether to climb to the giant outdoor Buddha. The difference in scale is striking: enclosed shrine interiors invite close observation, while the statue is read against the open plateau and hills. Allow time for worshippers and follow the monastery’s rules around the active religious spaces.
What to look for
- Three bronze Buddha images provide the focus of the main shrine.
- The Hall of Bodhisattva Skanda adds another named worship space.
- The nearby Tian Tan Buddha changes the visit from hall interiors to a monumental outdoor form.
Background & history
Po Lin Monastery is a Chan Buddhist monastery, located on Ngong Ping Plateau, on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. The monastery was founded in 1906 by three monks visiting from Jiangsu Province and was initially known simply as "The Big Hut" (Chinese: 大茅蓬; Jyutping: daai6 maau4 pung4). It was renamed to its present name in 1924. The main temple houses three bronze statues of the Buddha – representing his past, present and future lives – as well as many Buddhist scriptures. Tian Tan Buddha, a giant Buddha statue completed in 1993, is an extension of the monastery. The Ngong Ping 360, consisting of the Ngong Ping village and a gondola lift running between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, was built near to the Po Lin Monastery. The monastery boasts many prominent architectural structures, such as the Main Shrine Hall of Buddha, the Hall of Bodhisattva Skanda. This monastery is also noted for making wooden bracelets that are only sold near the Tian Tan Buddha statue.
Excerpt from Wikipedia: Po Lin Monastery · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected introductory sentences; formatting simplified. Background information, not current visitor-service advice.
Location & getting there
Getting to Po Lin Monastery
Reach Ngong Ping on Lantau, using the cable-car connection from Tung Chung or an operating public road service. From Ngong Ping, follow signs to Po Lin Monastery below the Tian Tan Buddha; confirm the return transport before leaving the plateau.
Combine your visit
Suggested order for the visit:
-
Main shrine
Look at the three Buddha images.
-
Hall of Bodhisattva Skanda
Continue through the monastery complex.
-
Tian Tan Buddha, optional
Add the separate outdoor statue approach.
This is an editorial sequence of named spaces or places. It does not imply a verified walking connection or promise opening, ticket availability or a journey time.
Find Po Lin Monastery
宝莲禅寺 · 离岛区
The pin marks the area, not the entrance.
More places nearby
Approximate straight-line distances between map pins, not travel distances.
Tian Tan Buddha天坛大佛
Less than 1 km awayTian Tan Buddha sits above Ngong Ping on Mount Muk Yue, with a broad lotus throne supporting the bronze figure. The raised right hand represents fearlessness, while the left rests palm-up in the lap. Looking from the approach…
View guide →Ngong Ping 360 · Ngong Ping terminal昂坪360·昂坪端站
Less than 1 km awayNgong Ping 360 turns the ascent from Tung Chung into a view across water, airport infrastructure and the wooded hills of northern Lantau. The cable route crosses Tung Chung Bay, changes direction near Airport Island and climbs…
View guide →Tung Chung Fort东涌炮台
4 km awayTung Chung Fort preserves a compact granite enclosure beside Sheung Ling Pei village. Chinese inscriptions mark its three arched gateways, and six old cannon stand along the north wall. The main entrance inscription supplies…
View guide →Sources & visit information
The sources below support the place-specific description and arrival information. Suggested combinations are editorial planning ideas; confirm current opening, entry arrangements and transport services for your date.
Visitor information adapted and edited from Wikipedia contributors, “Po Lin Monastery” · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision 1362410708.
Visitor information adapted and edited from Wikivoyage contributors, Hong Kong/Lantau · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision 5330240.