E-mail page
|
|
|
|
Chi Lin Nunnery Review
Read our Hong Kong sights reviews. Or post your own.
Chi Lin Nunnery
Religious Sites, Kowloon
Fodor's Review:
Not a single nail was used to build this nunnery, which dates from 1934. Instead, traditional Tang Dynasty architectural techniques involving wooden dowels and bracket-work hold its 228,000 pieces of timber together. Most of the 15 cedar halls house altars to bodhisattvas (someone who has reached enlightenment) -- bronze plaques explain each one.
Feng Shui principles governed construction. The buildings face south toward the sea, to bring abundance; their back is to the mountain, provider of strength and good energy. The temple's clean lines are a vast departure of most of Hong Kong's colorful religious buildings -- here polished wood and gleaming Buddha statues are the only adornments.
The Main Hall is the most imposing -- and inspiring -- part of the monastery. Overlooking the smaller second courtyard, it honors the first Buddha, known as Sakyamuni. The soaring ceilings are held up by 28 cedar columns, measuring 18 feet each. They also support the roof -- no mean feat, given that its traditionally made clay tiles make it weigh 176 tons.
Courtyards and gardens, where frangipani flowers scent the air, run beside the nunnery. The gardens are filled with bonsai trees and artful rockeries. Nature is also present inside: the various halls and galleries all look onto two courtyards filled with geometric lotus ponds and manicured bushes.
INFO
- Address: 5 Chi Lin Dr., Diamond Hill, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Phone: 2354-1789
- Cost: Free
- Open: Nunnery daily 9-4:30, lotus-pond garden daily 7-7
- Metro: Diamond Hill, Exit C2
WHAT'S NEARBY
- Entertainment
- Aqua
- Bahama Mama's
- More >>
- Shopping
- Amazing Grace
- Artland Watch Co Ltd
- More >>
- Cicerone or other Hong Kong walks experts
6 responses; most recent on 08/28/2008, 10:54 pm - short Hong Kong layover
5 responses; most recent on 08/24/2008, 10:06 pm
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip
- Hong Kong Travel Tips If you're going to Hong Kong this year, there are some ...
- Political Unrest Unfolds in Tibet Violence associated with political protests is sweeping...
- Where We're Going in '08: Back to Nature Madagascar and Micronesia are sooooooo yesterday. Today's...
- more >>
