Tian Tan Buddha
Know variously as the Big Buddha, the Giant Buddha and Lantau Buddha this 34 meter high bronze statue is one of the largest outdoor seated Buddha statues in the world, weighing an impressive 250 tons. Placed high on a mountain on Lantau it is next to and associated with the Po Lin Buddhist Monastery, and today is most often visited via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car from Tung Chong.
The statue may be visited at any time but entrance to the inside of the building and the Monastery is limited to 10am until 5:45 each day. It is open on weekends and holidays.
There are no entrance fees though donations are of course accepted.
Approaching the statue means climbing an impressive flight of almost 250 steps which leaves the visitor properly impressed by the giant statue. As well as seeing it up close from the top there are also wonderful vistas over much of Lantau from the edges of the platform on which it stands.
A visit to the Big Buddha is often combined with lunch at the Po Lin Monastery to enjoy the traditions of Buddhist vegetarian food.
🧘♀️ Meditation Retreats and Spiritual Experiences
Po Lin Monastery, established in 1906 as "The Big Hut" and formally named in 1924, serves as one of Hong Kong's most significant spiritual centers, offering profound meditation experiences in the serene highland climate of Ngong Ping Plateau. Known as the "Buddhist Kingdom in the South," this sacred sanctuary provides multiple opportunities for spiritual immersion and mindfulness practice.
Seven-Day Meditation Retreat
The monastery's flagship Annual 7-Day Meditation Retreat (February 19-26, 2025) represents 90 years of unbroken tradition since 1935. Led by senior Buddhist monks during the final week of the first lunar month, this intensive program focuses on Zen Buddhism principles through guided sitting and walking meditation sessions. Additional meditation opportunities include Lotus Festival sessions (June 24-25, July 1, 2025) from 9:50 AM – 11:45 AM at the foot of Big Buddha, conducted in English with Cantonese translation and featuring guided sitting and walking meditation surrounded by elegant lotus flowers. The retreat emphasizes returning the mind to a state of uncluttered purity through peaceful contemplation and self-examination, making it ideal for serious practitioners seeking deep spiritual transformation in an authentic monastic setting. The nearby Wisdom Path features 38 wooden pillars arranged in an infinity symbol with Heart Sutra inscriptions, providing a serene outdoor contemplative walking meditation experience behind the Big Buddha and monastery complex.
Lotus Festival Meditation Sessions
Plum Village Hong Kong collaborates with Po Lin Monastery to offer accessible meditation experiences during the summer Lotus Festival. Sessions on June 24-25 and July 1, 2025 (9:50 AM - 11:45 AM) provide English-language instruction with Cantonese translation, welcoming participants to practice sitting and walking meditation at the foot of the Big Buddha, surrounded by the noble elegance of blooming lotus flowers. These programs require no previous experience and offer an perfect introduction to Buddhist mindfulness practices.
Wisdom Path Contemplative Experience
The Wisdom Path, located behind the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, offers a unique outdoor meditation trail featuring 38 wooden pillars arranged in an infinity symbol with the Heart Sutra carved into each pillar. This serene loop path winds through the mountainous terrain, providing a contemplative walking meditation experience that combines spiritual practice with stunning natural beauty and panoramic views of the South China Sea.
Year-Round Spiritual Programs
For ongoing spiritual development, Plum Village Hong Kong offers comprehensive retreat programs including Wake Up Retreats (January), Spring Retreats (April), Summer Retreats (July), and specialized programs for educators and body-mind wellness. Regular Friday evening practices and special ceremonies throughout the year provide accessible entry points for visitors seeking meaningful spiritual engagement during their Lantau Island experience.
Busses also leave from the area and go directly to other major destinations on Lantau including Mui Wo and Tung Chung.
There is another famous Buddhist attraction in Hong Kong, the "10 thousand buddha monastery" in Shatin, only that isn't actually a monastery at all. It is still worth a visit as an unusual destinatoni, and is nearby the Hong Kong Heritage Museum which is also good.