You think you’ve seen all of Hong Kong? Think again. On the world map, Hong Kong appears as a teensy, tiny dot, but what most tourists get to see barely scratches the surface.
We often imagine Hong Kong as a bustling urban jungle with Disneyland and the Big Buddha on its outskirts. But in reality, its full borders go way beyond the usual tourist map. It covers over 1,100 square kilometers — comparable to the entire Rizal Province — including the peninsula and the various islands off its coast. It is divided into three main regions: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories.
Tourists mostly flock around the same sites. The ever restless Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and its popular theme parks are surrounded by a unique brand of freneticism. But if you take the time to pay attention to its often overlooked nooks and its more distant crannies, you’ll find that an unusually quiet Hong Kong awaits more curious travelers. Recently, the Hong Kong Tourism Board showed us around the lesser-known sides, and in this article we’ll share them all with you.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
1. Tsz Shan Monastery
While the Tian Tan Buddha often graces Hong Kong’s postcards, another gigantic structure of a Buddhist divinity can be found in the city’s Tai Po district. Here at the Tsz Shan Monastery, all eyes are on the 76-meter tall statue of Guan Yin, one of the most revered deities in Buddhism. Like the Big Buddha, it is made of bronze but this one is coated in stunningly white fluorocarbon self-cleaning paint.
The colossal Guan Yin clutches a vase in her left hand, symbolizing purification, and a pearl in the other, representing wisdom. It stands on a three-tier lotus flower, crowning the Buddhist Art Museum, which showcases an impressive collection of Buddhist images, relics, and other artifacts.
The monastery was officially opened in 2015 as a sanctuary that offers spaces for tranquility, meditation, and spiritual purification. Hence, the number of visitors allowed is limited to only 400 per day. Advance registration is required, and it can be done online by visiting this page.
TSZ SHAN MONASTERY
Address: 88 Universal Gate Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
How to get to Tsz Shan Monastery: Take the MTR East Rail Line to Tai Po Market Station. Then, take Bus 75K bound for Tai Mei Tuk. Alight at San Tau Kok stop. Fare: HK$6.40. Walk for 10 minutes along Tong Tsz Road until you reach Universal Gate Road. Turn right and…
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