TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS MONASTERY OF HONG KONG

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is a quirky, unique treasure found some 400 steps above Hong Kong.
Walk along a path lined by golden Buddha statues striking innumerable poses ranging from elated to solemn and everything in-between.

TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS MONASTERY

The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is perhaps one of the city’s most memorable cultural sites.
Unlike most temples in Hong Kong visiting this one is a great way to channel some delightful, playful vibes.

WHAT IS THE 10,000 BUDDHAS MONASTERY ABOUT

Overlooking the lush Sha Tin district in northeastern Hong Kong lies a unique temple brimming with golden Buddha statues and other aesthetic delights.
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is a one-of-a-kind Buddhist temple of the 20th-century that does not, despite its name, have any monks residing within it.

Managed only by day workers, this historic temple and its adjacent pagodas are must-sees for anyone visiting Hong Kong.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN BUDDHAS

The temple itself is surrounded by over 10,000 gold Buddha statues, and the site is also home to hundreds of monkeys who regularly make their appearance!
The statues range from life-sized to miniature and line both the walkway leading to the temple as well as the walls of the temple itself.
The entire complex is rather expansive, containing a number of halls and pavilions, along with a nine-storey pagoda surrounded by, yes, even more, Buddha statues.
Dancing, praising the heavens, grinning, grimacing, or simply meditating—you name it—there’s a Buddha statue doing just that at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple!
From the top of the temple, panoramic views are far from lacking, allowing visitors to take in the sheer magnitude of the place and fully feel the sense of wonder it evokes.

HISTORY OF 10,0000 BUDDHAS MONASTERY, HONG KONG

The Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery is actually much younger than it looks.
It was first built in 1951 under a Buddhist monk and teacher named Yuet Kai, and completed six years later.
The Buddhas, however, took an additional 10 years to complete.

At the end of the 20th-century, the monastery was struck by tragedy after one of its caretakers was killed in a mudslide. Afterwards, it closed for three years while the grounds were repaired.

BUDDHA MONASTERY HISTORY

Even before the monastery was built, the site was home to a temple which was donated to Yuet Kai for the purpose of establishing a Buddhist college (which proved to be unsuccessful).
Instead, Kai decided to build the monastery that stands so brilliantly today.
Oddly enough, there are far more than 10,000 buddhas on the monastery’s grounds (a number closer to 12,000 is more accurate).
Why the name, then? In Cantonese, the number 10,000 is used to denote extremely large numbers—which is why the temple was named as such.


Following Yuet Kai’s death, his body was embalmed, clothed in robes, painted in gold, and placed in a glass display in front of the pavilion’s main altar.
Today, visitors can see what is claimed to be his remains—a figure covered in gold leaves in a lotus pond.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE BUDDHA MONASTERY

A temple as unique as the Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery no easy hike—literally!
Visitors must trek up over 400 steep steps to get to the temple, wander through overgrown foliage and past a rusted chain-link fence.
This trek is all part of the adventure, and the many Buddha statues that line the staircase are sure to keep great company.

MONKEYS AT THE TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS

What makes this journey even better is the fact that monkeys are well at home throughout the site, popping up along the pathway leading to the main pavilion, and swinging from surrounding trees.
They’re friendly but often a bit confrontational—the monkeys at this monastery are known to sometimes snatch food out of visitors’ hands, so snack at your own risk!
Once you reach the site gorgeous views are everywhere to be found—lush greenery in one direction, and the glimmering silver of a mass metropolis in the other.
There’s also a koi fish pond that provides an additional level of Zen.

TIPS FOR VISITING TEN THOUSAND BUDDHA MONASTERY

The Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery is located about an hour by subway from Hong Kong’s central district.
It is about a 10-minute walk from Sha Tin Station.
Though there are surprisingly few signs depicting the walkway which leads to the site, don’t fret—there are sure to be visitors heading in the same direction, and when in doubt, simply ask!
The temple itself is free to enter and open daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm, and even has a small Buddhist restaurant on site that serves vegetarian food.
In terms of crowd level, it’s usually not terrible (considering the challenge of getting there!), with the exception of during Chinese New Year.
And take note—be sure to wear a comfortable pair of shoes.
All in all, the Ten Thousand Buddha Monastery is a fantastic way to spend a day in Hong Kong, but not recommended for those with mobility issues…or a fear of monkeys!

KYAIKTIYO PAGODA AKA THE GOLDEN ROCK, MYANMAR

One of the most remarkable places to visit in Burma is the legendaryGolden Rock. Located in Kyaiktiyo; a few hours east of Yangon, the Golden Rock is a phenomenon dangling off the side of a mountain.

KYAIKTIYO PAGODA AKA THE GOLDEN ROCK, MYANMAR

Legend has it that is is balancing on the hair of Buddha and it is the most important pilgrimage in the country. The hair was given to a hermit by Buddha himself, who in turn found a boulder which resembled his own head. He then built a small Stupa on it's top and pilgrims have made their way to see it ever since.
This magnificent structure is not only fascinating but it also generates a magnificent energy. Pilgrims come to this place to marvel at how it clings to the side of a cliff, but also feel the it's spiritual power. Visiting the Golden Rock was one of the highlights of our time in Burma.
We have no idea how it has balanced on this mountain over the ages but as we gazed upon it with our own eyes, we became believers that something extraordinary was standing before us.

THE TOP 10 BEST HIKES IN SOUTH AMERICA

If you decide to explore this beautiful land, the huge Andean range will reward you with surreal waterfalls, pristine lagoons, huge volcanoes and lost cities. With a variety of options for one-day or multi-day hikes, inexpensive prices and quality facilities, it's no wonder that South America has become one of the top destinations for hiking lovers!

1. MOUNT RORAIMA – VENEZUELA

 

Taking in Roraima Venezuela
It's not by accident that this is the first hike on the list; Mount Roraima is simply another world! This huge tepuy (tepui) is one of the oldest land formations on earth and offers stunning views of the great savannah, other tepuys and waterfalls. Once on top, you'll find scenery reminiscent of science fiction, with strange, naturally shaped rocks and rare flora and fauna, the likes of which you have never seen before.

2. FITZ ROY, EL CHALTÉN – ARGENTINA

 

Enjoy awesome peaks, turquoise lagoons and huge glaciers on easy day hikes. Most of the famous spots, like the Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre, are just a few hours’ walk from the town of El Chalten, so you don't even need camping gear! For the most adventurous, there are some amazing multi-day routes along which you can explore the very heart of the wild Patagonia.

3. LAS TORRES DEL PAINE – CHILE

 

The hike to Las Torres del Paine is a wonderful way to explore one of the most remote territories in South America. Being really close to the end of the world, this is a land of strong winds and unpredictable weather, where huge mountains rise beyond beautiful lakes and rivers. You can complete either the “W trek” or the “O circuit.” Both will take you to the two main attractions: Las Torres and Los Cuernos del Paine.

4. HUAYHUASH CIRCUIT – PERÚ

 

This is a challenging long hike that will take you deep into the Peruvian Andes, where you'll find massive mountains, glaciers, mirror lakes and local culture. It's a good alternative to the beaten Santa Cruz trek, with fewer hikers. You’ll have the chance to visit villages, buy cheese from the locals and enjoy awesome scenery, which you’ll have almost to yourself!

5. INCA TRAIL, MACHU PICCHU – PERÚ

Even though the Inca Trail is by far the best-known way to reach the marvellous city of Machu Picchu, there are some great alternatives, like the Salcantay or Lares routes. All of these explore the ancient Inca territories and take you through beautiful rainforests and massive valleys before reaching Machu Picchu—one of the new seven wonders of the world.

6. QUILOTOA LOOP – ECUADOR

Imagine a trail along green valleys and friendly villages, and with almost no tourists! You can stay at mountain lodges, eat local food like the guinea pig (which is actually pretty good) and practice your Spanish with the friendly residents before reaching the Quilotoa lagoon, an amazing crater lake that will leave you astonished!

7. CIUDAD PERDIDA – COLOMBIA

Would you like to explore lush forests and ancient cities while taking the opportunity to meet indigenous community members? This hot and humid trip takes you through the hills, rivers and waterfalls of the Sierra Nevada, where the Tayrona people still maintain their traditional customs and culture.

8. CHAPADA DIAMANTINA – BRAZIL

Brazil is much more than caipirinhas, surf and nice beaches. If you visit the northern region of Bahia, don't miss the Chapada Diamantina, a stunning region full of tea-colored rivers and lagoons, green valleys and, above all, lots of high waterfalls everywhere!

9. HUAYNA POTOSÍ – BOLIVIA

Known as one of the easiest 6000-meter mountains to climb in the world, this is a very popular route in Bolivia that provides awesome views of Lake Titicaca and Cordillera Real. This is more a climb than a hike, so you must be in really good shape and have a good acclimatization plan.

10. COTOPAXI VOLCANO – ECUADOR 

Climb the glacier of this active volcano with a perfect conical shape and enjoy stunning views from the top, with a magical sunrise over the clouds, as well as other huge mountains and volcanoes around. Be sure you are physically prepared before climbing Cotopaxi because it's not an easy walk!