Tsz Shan Monastery is a must visit place in Tai Po in Hong Kong for nature lovers, peace seekers, and explorers alike!
There is a lot to do in Hong Kong which will take you closer to nature but very few moments might feel divine, serene, and absolutely blissful. Experience this bliss right in the corner of Hong Kong in Tai Po. We recently visited Tsz Shan Monastery (Chinese Buddhist Temple) and were in complete awe of this divine place. Lying in between lush green mountains and a reservoir this place is an absolute visual delight. It trumpets the serenity and divinity together. The stunning Guan Yin statue, often known as Lady Buddha, is magnificent and the center of attraction.
In this fast-paced city life, if you wish to find some tranquility, find some peace, or want to just stop the pendulum of mind which has a tendency to go between past and future… this is the place where you need to be. You will be transcended in the present spiritual moment as soon as you step in here. During the time you spend here, you will experience a state of deep meditation. There are many activities here to help you be in the present meditative zone. From water-offering activities to zen calligraphy to meditative walks, it has all that you need right now to pause and just relax.
The artistic Buddha statues and prayers offered to Buddha during specific prayer times are super melodious. It transmits one into a different spiritual zone. To be able to experience this, you must plan to visit during the prayer offerings time.
How to make reservations:
You have to book the visit 30 days in advance through their website –https://www.tszshan.org/home/new/en/visit.php
Pro tip: One person can book only 6 tickets and the window for booking opens at 8.00 am and it is completely booked within a couple of minutes. However, there is a trick: if you choose 3 or 4 people at once, your chances of getting some slots are higher. Also, there is a group booking for more than 20 people but it needs some special approval.
*Do not forget to carry your HK ID card with which you might have registered for the slot.
How to reach Tsz Shan monastery:
The best way to reach there is to take the MTR from your location to Tai Po Market station, then a cab from Tai Po Market station to Tsz Shan Monastery. It costs around 70 HKD by cab. Do not reach too early or too late – they are quite strict about the slots booked.
Where to eat?
The in-house restaurant serves the most amazing coffee and cheesecake absolutely free. So do not miss it. Because the monastery is in a remote location, there aren’t many options nearby. So I would suggest that you better carry your own food. A couple of kms away there is a beach and neighboring food joints, so those are the closest restaurants, according to my understanding.
What to wear?
Since it’s a monastery, respect their culture and tradition and dress appropriately.
How much time is needed to visit the monastery?
So. You will be given a slot for booking, and once you arrive at the monastery according to your slot, you are free to stay as long as you like. There is so much to do there that I doubt you’ll want to leave very soon. 🙂
Is it kid friendly?
It is certainly kid-friendly, but as we took our toddlers, I can say that there isn’t much to do for them and they might not allow you to have a peaceful time. 🙂 Anyway, I still insist that you must not miss this visit for sure!
Lastly, if it’s raining too much during your visiting hours, or slot time, you can borrow these beautiful photogenic cane hats. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Article By:
Riddhi Jimit Mehta 
Riddhi Jimit Mehta is a curious and enthusiastic blogger, Travel lover who loves to experience different cultures, Itinerary planner, Deal cracker, Poetry reader, and Writer by hobby. Apart from these creative hobbies, she is the Mother of a toddler who believes in giving travel exposure to infants and toddlers as much as possible. She believes ‘Learning through exposure and traveling is the best form of learning for kids’. Above all, Riddhi is a Die Hard passionate passive income generator who believes in spreading Financial Literacy and teaching people the importance of Saving and Investing. Having a background in Equity Research she is now a full-time Entrepreneur associated with her family business as a Mutual Fund Distributor with – Mehta Investment. She along with her Brother in law in India manages NRI clientele who are keen on investing in Indian growth stories through Mutual Funds.
