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| A collage of Chi Lin Nuunery and Nan Lian Garden! |
1) Po Lin Monastery at Lantau Island where beautiful tallest ever outside Sitting Tian Tan Buddha is situated, it is also famously called - The Big Buddha which is very renowned tourist destination and must visit for travelers to HK.
2) Tsz Shan Monastery - This is very unique monastery with limited guests allowed per slot and you have to make at least 1 month advance booking to visit this beautiful place. It is located at Tai Po. (More information on upcoming blog)
3)Ten Thousands Buddha Monastery - Its located near Sha tin and boasts beautiful ambience and lovely monastery. and
4) Chi Lin Nunnery (志蓮淨苑) at Diamond Hill area in Kowloon is not so famous but one must must must visit location for its serenity, simplicity, calmness, that feel of life coming to standstill and mind stopping the swing between past and future right there in midst of 3.5 hectare full of nature surprise. This is our personal favorite place that we go to when just want to be in eternal peace. No visitors visiting us, can leave without visiting this place :p but trust me they love it. This is made in Japanese pagoda style and boasts a beautiful Nan Lian Garden in surrounding. More details with pictures to justify every word comes here -
Who should visit Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden?
Literally everyone, no matter if you are religious or atheist but at some point everyone loves to attain that peace of mind and here it is! right in middle of hustle bustle and famous malls of Hong Kong, lies this place which is extra -ordinaire and closest to my heart personally.
How to visit Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden?
The address for Chi Lin Nunnery is - 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon. There are couple of ways to reach the place as follows:
- By MTR - This is the most easiest and convenient way we always follow. Just take Exit C2 of the Diamond Hill MTR Station and turn your left and cross the road -- There you are!
- By Bus:
3B, 10, 11, 11C, 38, 42C, 61X, 62X, 70X, 74A, 74X, 75X, 80, 82X, 84M, 85C, 85M, 89, 89B, 89C, 91, 91M, 92, 258D, 259D, 286M, 671, 796B, 906R, E22, E22A - By Public Light Bus:
19, 19M, 70, 72
P.S. As soon as you enter the gate, don't forget to take small pamphlet about the place and information.
What are the timings and how much is this entrance?
The Nan Lian Garden opens at 7.00 AM and closes till 7.00 PM. But the Main nunnery which is located in same premises upstairs is open only between 9.00 AM to 4.30 PM.
So one must plan to visit accordingly. The nunnery which is made in pagoda style are uniquely designed beautiful premises and boasts lotus garden.
The Admission to both nunnery and garden are absolutely free.
P.S. given the current situation please check their website or call and confirm its timings. Details at the end.
What is the there to do in this place and how much time will i need to plan?
So there are two unique places to visit under in one area. First is The Chin Nunnery and then secondly you can follow circular one way that will lead to picturesque Nan Lian Garden. One can spend good 2 to 3 hours in both the nunnery and the garden. However if you wish to go with children then you can also spend time having lunch and going around and enjoying fish ponds and falls at ease which can also take good 4-5 hours. But if you are tight on time as tourist and just by visitor then even an hour is enough.
The Chi Lin Nunnery: This was built in 1930's under Tang dynasty but re-built in 1998 and the uniqueness of this place is that it was built without single nail. It was re-built as such to show harmony between people and environment.The Chinese belief is that if houses are built from wood, the life of the trees is much longer. The sections of wood are locked together in the same manner as a jigsaw puzzle. Three different gates, each with its own representation, are at the entrance of the complex. The first gate represents compassion, the second wisdom, and the third, the skills of people. (source: hongkongnet)
On nunnery grounds are a lotus pond,
sculpted bushes and bonsai, and statues of the goddess of mercy, god of
medicine, and others (The pictures of God /Godess is prohibited and hence not part of this blog)
Nan Lian Garden: One of striking feature I love about this place is the architecture of Tang Dynasty style. Every piece of land, rocks, trees and water is placed according to rules of Tang style. This garden is made in a way that one completes the circle by following the route.Many details are on the map and much more beautifully explained by pictures.
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| Pavillion outside Chi Lin Nunnery! |
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| Lotus Bloom in Lotus Pond |
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| Beautifully carved water fountains in Lotus Pond |
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| Water Lillies at its best! |
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| Another Lotus Ponds bloom |
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| Lamps on the Chi Lin Nunnery pavillion. |
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| Photo Courtesy: Urvi Kothari |
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| Very lovely architecture imprint of Tang Dynasty! |
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| Loved this piece on the pavilions! |
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| Nan Lian Garden - Map (P.S. Do not forget to pick it map from Entrance) |
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| This is our must have pic in this backdrop with Familia! |
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| Beautiful street to walk with wonderful landscape |
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| Getting merged with this beauty! |
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| The 180 Deg Panoramic view of this beautiful place |
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| Trying Photography skills! |
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| The Golden Pavilion |
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| Shops for souvenirs and small snack place. there is also a wonderful Chinese vegetarian restaurant just behind the waterfall. It has Buffet Lunch and has few options for Jain food. |
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| Flowing with noise in the ears but calmness in Heart! |
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| One of the Monk place |
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| Posing with the Golden Pavilion! |
Key Points to note:
1) This place is stroller and Wheelchair friendly.
2) They can be contacted at : +852 2354 1888 / +852 3658 9366
3) Visit their website for more information : http://www.chilin.org/
4) Its a beautiful scenic landscape, please do not litter and do not sit anywhere and eat. There are guards across the garden to keep a check. One can use the Snacks shop and Restaurant.
5) Please be considerate and respectful towards monks, who will be present especially in nunnery. Don't make noise and observe silence
6) Please do not click pictures where it is explicitly mentioned : Photography Prohibited.
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