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Home » Destinations » Asia » Hong Kong

World's Largest Outdoor Seated Bronze Buddha

Published: Mar 12, 2008 by Dave Lee |

Bronze Buddha

Day 5 in Hong Kong was dedicated to taking the MTR to Lantau Island, home of Po Lin, a Buddhist monastery containing Tian Tan Buddha statue, the world's largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha (apparently there is a bigger one indoors somewhere).

Adam and I took the MTR to Lantau Island, and then waited in a 2-hour Disneylandesque queue for the Ngong Ping 360 cable car linking the town of Tung Chung with the monastery in the hills/mountains above.  The ride offered stunning views of the Hong Kong Airport, though the haze I still had trouble accepting as pure pollution, obscured everything.  Seriously, even on days with what appears to be blue skies, it feels like there is a fog enveloping the city.

Offering Buddha a Starbucks capuccino

I opted for a cappuccino and banana walnut muffin at the requisite Starbucks we found inside the mock Chinese village outside the monastery.  Then we were off to climb the steps to be at one with the big Buddha (my first of this size mind you).  Incense was burning in large pots as we climbed up, reminding me of the ubiquitous offerings in Bali.

Gigantic incense sticks

If there was a time I felt the sky was truly blue above Hong Kong, it was right above the Buddha.  We also checked out the monastery where I encountered the largest incense sticks I've ever seen near the entrance.

Inside one of the buildings were a collection of beautiful gold Buddhas.  We had to await the end of a ceremony before entering.  I know I'm going to see heaps of Buddhas during my time in Asia, so I hope I can enjoy them all equally.  Buddha burnout is within the realm of possibility.

Monastery building

By now, I was starting to feel pain in my left knee from whatever I did to it in New Zealand.  We took the bus back down the hill, the train back to Kowloon, and got some rest before getting dinner at a Cantonese barbecue restaurant and returning to the arcade for some cheap fun.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. Dava says

    July 12, 2008 at 2:49 pm

    I dare you to eat live scorpions with chopsticks.
    :mrgreen:

    • Dave says

      July 14, 2008 at 9:54 am

      I'll keep an eye out for it, but how much are you willing to donate for such a feat? I've already got a dare for a dead one at $30. :)

  2. Dava says

    July 12, 2008 at 9:49 am

    I dare you to eat live scorpions with chopsticks.
    :mrgreen:

    • Dave says

      July 14, 2008 at 4:54 am

      I'll keep an eye out for it, but how much are you willing to donate for such a feat? I've already got a dare for a dead one at $30. :)

  3. Marie says

    July 29, 2010 at 12:26 am

    Oh my goodness, a mock Chinese village, Starbucks?! It has been too long since I was there, but there was (and I hope still is) a fantastic vegetarian restaurant there. Hope you found it.

    P.S. Sorry you got hurt here in NZ. Hope it didn't put you off!

  4. Shelton Ceo says

    October 29, 2010 at 12:30 pm

    We just couldnt leave your website before letting you know that we seriously loved the top quality details you offer you to your visitors? Will be back again soon to check up on new stuff you publish!

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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