
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Hong Kong (must see)
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, situated in Sha Tin, Hong Kong, is a Buddhist temple constructed during the mid-20th century. Despite being called a monastery, it is managed by laypersons as there are no resident monks. The main temple building and the pagoda are both recognized as Grade III historic buildings by the Government of Hong Kong.
Construction of the temple began in 1951 under the leadership of Yuet Kai and his followers, and it was completed six years later. The journey up to the monastery itself is an attraction, with a path adorned on both sides by unique golden Buddhas in various poses. Contrary to its name, the monastery actually houses nearly 13,000 Buddha statues.
Perched on a hillside in Pai Tau Village, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery can be reached by ascending 431 "steep steps." These steps are flanked by statues of arhats, who are regarded as enlightened saints in Buddhism. Crafted by artists from Yunnan and Guangdong provinces, these statues were modeled after those found at a temple in Kunming, the hometown of founder Yuet Kai.
Covering an area of over 8 hectares (0.080 square kilometer), the monastery is divided into two floors. The upper level comprises four halls dedicated to Kwun Yam, other Buddhist and Taoist deities and a variety of Buddha statues. The lower floor features an additional hall, a nine-story pagoda, a tower, and two pavilions.
Despite its "Ten Thousand" moniker, the monastery is home to nearly 13,000 Buddha statues. While some sources estimate around 12,000 statues, the Lonely Planet guidebook suggests there may be approximately 12,800 statues within the monastery grounds. Some of these statues date back to the Tang dynasty.
Over the years, the Monastery has been featured in films and television series. For instance, it served as the backdrop for a martial arts fight scene between the protagonist (played by Russell Wong) and a sword-wielding adversary in the 1995 American action series Vanishing Son. Additionally, the temple was prominently featured in the opening scene of the 2002 local crime-thriller Infernal Affairs.
Construction of the temple began in 1951 under the leadership of Yuet Kai and his followers, and it was completed six years later. The journey up to the monastery itself is an attraction, with a path adorned on both sides by unique golden Buddhas in various poses. Contrary to its name, the monastery actually houses nearly 13,000 Buddha statues.
Perched on a hillside in Pai Tau Village, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery can be reached by ascending 431 "steep steps." These steps are flanked by statues of arhats, who are regarded as enlightened saints in Buddhism. Crafted by artists from Yunnan and Guangdong provinces, these statues were modeled after those found at a temple in Kunming, the hometown of founder Yuet Kai.
Covering an area of over 8 hectares (0.080 square kilometer), the monastery is divided into two floors. The upper level comprises four halls dedicated to Kwun Yam, other Buddhist and Taoist deities and a variety of Buddha statues. The lower floor features an additional hall, a nine-story pagoda, a tower, and two pavilions.
Despite its "Ten Thousand" moniker, the monastery is home to nearly 13,000 Buddha statues. While some sources estimate around 12,000 statues, the Lonely Planet guidebook suggests there may be approximately 12,800 statues within the monastery grounds. Some of these statues date back to the Tang dynasty.
Over the years, the Monastery has been featured in films and television series. For instance, it served as the backdrop for a martial arts fight scene between the protagonist (played by Russell Wong) and a sword-wielding adversary in the 1995 American action series Vanishing Son. Additionally, the temple was prominently featured in the opening scene of the 2002 local crime-thriller Infernal Affairs.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Hong Kong. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery on Map






Sight Name: Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Sight Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong (See walking tours in Hong Kong)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong (See walking tours in Hong Kong)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Create Your Own Walk in Hong Kong
Creating your own self-guided walk in Hong Kong is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Downtown Introduction Walking Tour
Hong Kong has a long, storied history, that stretches back centuries. However, much of what we associate with today's Hong Kong is more recent in nature.
At the end of the First Opium War, in 1842, the Qing Dynasty ceded control of the region to the British who colonized and westernized it, creating businesses and building roads, schools, and churches. Throughout 155 years of British rule,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
At the end of the First Opium War, in 1842, the Qing Dynasty ceded control of the region to the British who colonized and westernized it, creating businesses and building roads, schools, and churches. Throughout 155 years of British rule,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Kowloon Walking Tour
The most popular part of Hong Kong outside the Downtown area, the Kowloon district is also one of the most densely populated neighborhoods on the planet, packed to the brim with all sorts of shops and restaurants. Situated north of the Hong Kong island, Kowloon can be described as the mirror of Central Hong Kong.
Some of the top attractions in Kowloon are set around the dazzling Nathan Road (a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Some of the top attractions in Kowloon are set around the dazzling Nathan Road (a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Causeway Bay Walking Tour
If you're looking for a taste of Hong Kong's energetic urban life, Causeway Bay is the place to be. Well known for its mega shopping malls and skyscrapers “rubbing shoulders” with rustic streets and picturesque corners, this bustling district is one of the city's most popular shopping and entertainment hubs.
The foremost among its landmarks is Times Square. Despite the name,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
The foremost among its landmarks is Times Square. Despite the name,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Colonial Buildings in Central Hong Kong
Having been a British colony for over a century, Hong Kong boasts a wealth of colonial architecture. The majority of old buildings, some designated national heritage objects, are concentrated in the Central part of the city.
The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is one such charming colonial edifice that once served as the residence of the Commander of the British forces. Today, it houses a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is one such charming colonial edifice that once served as the residence of the Commander of the British forces. Today, it houses a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
The Seafood Mile, Hong Kong
Cheung Chau is one of a cluster of Islands off the coast of Hong Kong. It has a fishing harbor to the front, which is lit up at night with tiny green, blue and white boat lights. The harbor is overlooked by many restaurants and street food can be bought from many vendors, who line up throwing an...
15 Hong Kong Products A Traveller Shouldn't Miss
The image of Hong Kong has been much popular with tourists since the late 1960s-early 70s, in large part due to the Bruce Lee movies, and has remained so after the city was ceded back to China in 1997. Still, despite such popularity, there're quite a few things, originally made in Hong Kong,...